Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar lauded the confiscation of P5.3 million worth of cocaine in a joint operation by the police and anti-illegal drug agents in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
Reports reaching Camp Crame said drug suspect Basir Daud, 49, was arrested during the anti-illegal drug operation.
“I commend this operation that yielded millions worth of cocaine. Ito ay patunay na tuloy ang laban ng gobyerno upang matigil na ang operasyon ng ilegal na droga sa bansa,” Eleazar said.
“Patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan sa AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at sa [Philippine] Coast Guard ang inyong PNP upang mapalakas ang pagbabantay sa karagatan at coastline ng ating bansa sa Tawi-Tawi at mga karatig na lugar, dahil hindi natin inaalis ang posibilidad na ipinuslit papasok sa ating bansa ang nakumpiskang cocaine na ito gamit ang southern backdoor,” he added.
“Dahil sa tindi ng pressure natin sa mga sindikato ng ilegal na droga, nagiging modus na nila ang pag-smuggle ng mga droga gamit ang karagatan, kaya naman patuloy pa nating pina-iigting ang koordinasyon sa AFP at Coast Guard upang pigilan ang modus na ito,” he explained.
Aside from the illegal drugs, an M16 rifle was seized from Daud who is facing drug-related charges.
Eleazar assured the public that the PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other government agencies will continue working relentlessly to curb the proliferation of narcotics in the country.
“Iniimbestigahan na si Basir Daud upang alamin kung saan galing ang nakumpiskang cocaine sa kanya at kilalanin ang iba pa niyang mga kasabwat,” the PNP chief said. (PNP-PIO) – jlo
