MIMAROPA police, PDEA destroy P350.9M illegal drugs

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN — The Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) and partner agencies on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, destroyed confiscated and surrendered dangerous drugs worth P350.9 million at the Puerto Princesa City New Public Cemetery in Barangay Sta. Lourdes. The activity began at around 9:00 a.m.

Reports submitted to B/Gen. Jovencio S. Badua Jr., MIMAROPA police director, said the operation was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) pursuant to Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and in accordance with joint guidelines of PDEA, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other concerned agencies.

Representing Acting City Director PCOL Cristine M. Tabdi, PLTCOL Socrates E. Faltado, Deputy City Director for Administration, and PCPT Virgilio L. Gomez III, chief of the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit, attended and witnessed the proper destruction of the illegal substances.

City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron served as guest of honor and speaker, with representatives from the DOJ led by Atty. Teodoro Jose S. Matta, the Palawan Provincial Government, the PNP Forensic Unit, Palawan Provincial Police Office, Philippine Coast Guard, AFP Western Command (WESCOM), PDEG SOU-4B, and civil society organizations present.

According to police reports, a total of 114,673.5221 grams of dangerous drugs, with an estimated street value of P350,944,190.52, were destroyed through thermal decomposition (thermolysis), which subjects substances to extreme heat until fully decomposed.

The destroyed substances included:

• Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) – 4.9316 grams, valued at P33,534.88

• Cannabis (kush) – 17,325.50 grams, valued at P20,789,400.00

• Marijuana – 2,075.7195 grams, valued at P249,086.34

• Marijuana (kush) – 42,695.1700 grams, valued at P51,234,204.00

• Cocaine – 52,573.2010 grams, valued at P278,637,965.30

The drugs were recovered and turned over to PDEA MIMAROPA through joint efforts by local fisherfolk, WESCOM, PCG, PPCPO, and other law enforcement partners. Many of the confiscated drugs were found floating or washed ashore along Palawan’s coastal waters and included evidence from adjudicated cases decided by Regional Trial Courts.

All destroyed drugs were covered by court orders authorizing their disposal in accordance with Section 21 of RA 9165.

“The destruction of these illegal substances underscores the government’s commitment to uphold the law, ensure transparency in the disposition of confiscated drugs, and reinforce the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs,” the report said.