Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed ₱14.29 billion worth of illegal drugs at a facility in Trece Martires, Cavite on Thursday.
The volume of illegal drugs destroyed in this batch is considered to be the largest in history, majority of which were shabu and party drug ecstacy.
PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva said the destruction was upon the go signal of courts handling the drug cases.
The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition which breaks down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat.
Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, the guest of honor for the event, did not show up. Instead, she sent a message commending the authorities for their efforts in the fight against illegal drugs.
Villanueva noted that out of more than 42,000 barangays in the country, over 25,000 have been cleared, and more than 10,000 are still drug-infested.
The PDEA chief warned that the country’s drug problem will continue as long as the 10,000 areas are not cleared, adding that demand-reduction and reformation of drug dependents must remain the top priorities.
He also expressed hope that outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte will consider being the Marcos administration’s consultant when it comes to matters related to illegal drugs.
“Itong buong war on drugs is his idea [This whole war on drugs is his idea],” Villanueva said. “We just supported him on how we will do it. He can be a good consultant for the anti-drug campaign.”
Duterte’s former spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the chief executive already turned down the offer to be the next anti-drug czar.
Authorities have carried out over 236,000 anti-illegal drugs operation under the Duterte administration. More than 341,000 suspects were arrested and over 6,200 were killed during the operations.
The current administration’s bloody drug war has long been criticized by human rights groups.
Despite being controversial, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Duterte told him to continue the drug war. Prior to winning the polls, Marcos said he will continue the anti-drug campaign but “in a different way.”
CNN Philippines’ Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
