CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10, in collaboration with the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 and Department of Justice (DOJ)-10, held its destruction of P18 million worth of confiscated illicit drugs and expired medicine as part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s continued campaign against illegal drugs, May 22.

"As we destroy these dangerous drugs, we reflect on our drive to remain steadfast in our mission and to aggressively pursue organized drug personalities until the drug menace is subdued in our region. Today we have done another stage towards attaining our vision of a drug-free region and a country as a whole," Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 Regional Director Emerson Margate shared.

(As we destroy these dangerous drugs, we reflect on our drive to remain steadfast in our mission and to aggressively pursue organized drug personalities until the drug menace is subdued in our region. Today we have taken another stage towards attaining our vision of a drug-free region and a drug-free country as a whole)

Comprising 2,534.0548 grams of methamphetamine or shabu worth P17,231,572.64, 5,146.2946 grams of marijuana worth P617,555.34, and expired medicine worth P569,745.44, the bulk of the confiscated materials come from 2021–2022 closed court cases in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PRO-10 Regional Director Lawrence Coop supported the destruction as a way to mitigate rumors of recycling or unwarranted usage of the confiscated materials, and the government’s firm commitment to eradicating the country’s illicit drug menace.

"The destruction of these illegal drugs, paraphernalia, and expired medicines is an affirmation of our dedication and commitment to put an end to the ‘misery’ that has caused harm to the general public," Coop said. (VPSB/PIA-10)