P1.2-B illegal drugs
YESTERDAY’S destruction of P1.2-billion worth of illegal drugs has thrust out front the need to intensify the campaign against the dreaded “drug monster.”
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed the drugs, totalling 912,685.73 grams, at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) at Trece Martires City in Cavite.
PDEA, the law enforcement arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board, said the dangerous drugs, including shabu, cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, were destroyed through thermal decomposition.
Thermal decomposition, or thermolysis, is a process of breaking down chemical components by heat, according to PDEA director-general Wilkins M. Villanueva.
Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla Jr. graced the event as special guest of honor and speaker. It was also attended by other national and local government officials.
Villanueva commended the efforts of the different branches of the regional trial courts (RTCs) across the country for the expeditious prosecution and disposition of illegal drug cases.
Of course, the expeditious disposition of these cases allows the prompt destruction of illegal drugs no longer needed as evidence in court.
“We want to assure the public that all seized illegal drugs under the custody of PDEA will be destroyed,” said Villanueva, a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Villanueva said the destruction activity was in response to President Duterte’s directive to immediately destroy all seized illegal drugs to allay fears of recycling.
Given the fast approaching end of the Duterte administration, concerned government officials ought to work overtime if we are to address the problem of illegal drugs.
