By Sam Ramos
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 11 destroyed over PHP16.1 million worth of illegal drugs in Davao City on December 2, as part of its compliance with Republic Act 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.” The destruction included contraband seized during various anti-drug operations across the region this year.
PDEA-11 Director Edgar Jubay stated that the destroyed substances comprised 1,661.3 grams of shabu valued at PHP11.3 million and 40 kilograms of marijuana worth PHP4.8 million. An additional PHP999,965 worth of expired medicines were also incinerated during the procedure.
The illegal substances were burned at a thermal facility operated by a funeral parlor in the city. Jubay emphasized that the thermal destruction process renders the substances unusable, ensuring they cannot re-enter circulation.
The event was conducted under strict oversight, with Davao City Executive Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan and representatives from the Department of Justice and the Public Attorney’s Office in attendance to ensure transparency and compliance with legal protocols.
Jubay noted that the destruction of confiscated drugs is critical to addressing public concerns about the potential recycling or misuse of illegal substances by law enforcement. “The burning of illegal drugs was also done to erase public skepticism,” he said.