THE Marcos government’s anti-narcotics campaign since June 2022 has been unrelenting and targeting drug kingpins and syndicates with fewer shots being fired.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chair Director General Isagani R. Nerez maintained that law enforcement agencies led by the PDEA are now putting more emphasis and respect to human dignity and rights, learning the sad lessons of the bloody war on drugs launched by the previous Duterte administration.

“The strategies have been delivering significant results one after another. This agrees with the marching orders of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, particularly to the health-centered and human rights-based approach of the anti-illegal drug campaign in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board’s (DDB’s) Enhanced Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy towards “Bagong Pilipinas”- the campaign mantra of the present administration,” the official said.

Director General Nerez said that the Agency’s operational thrusts have led to notable accomplishments in the anti-illegal drugs campaign since 2022.

Through the collaboration between PDEA and other law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority and Bureau of Customs, the government has been able to suppress the supply of illegal drugs and prevent its proliferation in the communities, Undersecretary Nerez said.

“In curbing the supply of illegal drugs in the streets, PDEA remains adherent to the rule of law and respect for human rights,” he added.

According to the official, from January 1 to March 31, 2025, PDEA and other law enforcement agencies conducted 10,161 operations that resulted in the arrest of 13,497 persons and the seizure of ₱6.90 billion worth of illegal drugs.

Among the government’s major drug hauls during the first quarter of 2025 were:

* 404.95 kilograms of shabu were seized at the Port of Manila on January 23, 2025;

* 25 kilograms of shabu were seized that resulted in the arrest of two drug personalities at Pier 5, Cebu City on January 23;

* 20.89 kilograms of Marijuana Kush were seized at the Manila International Container Port, Tondo, Manila on March 7;

* Seizure of 49.71 kilograms of Shabu that resulted in the arrest of two drug personalities during a buy-bust operation on March 14 in Muntinlupa City;

* Confiscation of 39.86 kilograms of Shabu resulting in the arrest of one drug personality during a buy-bust operation in Binangonan, Rizal on March 19;

* 119.93 kilograms of Shabu were seized that resulted in the arrest of one drug personality at the Port of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on March 21;

* 31.28 kilograms of Shabu and 2.24 grams of Ecstasy were seized that resulted in the arrest of one foreign national on March 21 in Bacoor, Cavite; and

* Seizure of 19.95 kilograms of Shabu and the arrest of four drug personalities in Baguio City following a buy-bust operation on March 25.

In the last five years, the country’s law enforcement agencies conducted a total of 183,149 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 253,776 drug personalities. These operations resulted in the seizure of shabu totaling 13.5 tons.

A total of 14.54 tons of dried marijuana leaves and 1,033 kilograms of marijuana Kush were also seized during the period, he added.

In addition, 249,458 pieces of Ecstasy pills and 89.33 kilograms of Cocaine, mostly recovered floating near the coastal waters or in the high seas by fishermen, were also confiscated at that time.

STRENGTHENED FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION CAPABILITIES

In compliance with the President’s order to adopt the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy, Usec. Nerez said they have also enhanced their conduct of financial and money laundering investigations in relation to anti-illegal drug activities as part of their organizational thrust.

As a result of the Agency’s strengthened financial investigation, 41 money-laundering cases were filed, leading to the civil forfeiture and freezing of P512,222,040.43 worth of assets and properties, which represent the proceeds of illegal drug activities.

Usec. Nerez said that through the relentless effort of the government, the Philippines has exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List.

“PDEA was recognized as among the main contributors to the completion of the Philippine action plan to address money laundering through filing of money laundering cases related to violations of Republic Act 9165,” he said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon