Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) – Around 4.4 tons of shabu with a street value of ₱30 billion have been seized since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in July last year, the chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs said.
At the hearing on the recent spate of discoveries of illegal drugs in Pampanga, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the value of seized narcotics is enough to bankroll the electoral campaigns of drug lords.
“From July 1, 2022, the first day in office of our President, until today, we have a total drug haul of almost 4.4 tons of shabu, and almost three tons of dried marijuana leaves,” Barbers said.
“This amount can most definitely finance the elections and victory of drug lords in our political arena. Kahit po kampanya pang Presidente, kayang pondohan ng war chest na ‘yan [this war chest can fund even a presidential campaign].”
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., who sought the probe as the representative of Pampanga’s third district, expressed alarm about the series of seizures of illegal drugs in his province.
On August 25, some 200 kilograms (kgs) of shabu was seized in Mabalacat. On September 24, another 560 kgs of illegal drugs were transported from Subic port to Mexico town.
The latest major discovery of illegal drugs took place last Oct. 4, when 323 kgs were seized at the Manila International Container Port.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakaalarma na ang dating tahimik na bayan ng Mexico at siyudad ng Mabalacat ay nabahiran ng ganitong klaseng kontrobersiya [It’ s sad and alarming that our previously quiet town of Mexico and the city of Mabalacat have been tainted with these kinds of controversies],” Gonzales said.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) chief Moro Virgilio Lazo asked Congress for additional funds to step up the offensive against illegal drugs. He said the pay of entry-level agents should be increased from Salary Grade 11 to 14 to attract more recruits.
