By Che Palicte | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 (Davao) destroyed over P16.1 million worth of illegal drugs on Monday, including seized contraband from operations conducted across the region this year.
PDEA-11 Director Edgar Jubay said the destroyed substances included 1,661.3 grams of shabu valued at P11.3 million and 40 kilograms of marijuana worth P4.8 million. Additionally, P999,965 worth of expired medicine were also burned.
Jubay led the destruction at a thermal facility operated by a funeral parlor in the city.
“Once these [drugs] undergo thermal treatment, they lose their value entirely. Thermal destruction is required by law,” he said.
The destruction was conducted under Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” which mandates PDEA to handle and dispose of confiscated drugs and related paraphernalia.
Davao City Executive Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan witnessed the activity alongside representatives from the Department of Justice and the Public Attorney’s Office to ensure transparency.
Jubay said the procedure is part of efforts to address public concerns about the possible recycling of confiscated or surrendered illegal drugs by law enforcement agencies.
“The burning of illegal drugs was also done to erase public skepticism,” he added.
