CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela — Authorities have discovered and uprooted PHP17-million worth of marijuana plants in 15 plantation sites in Barangays Buscalan and Loccong in Tinglayan, Kalinga province on March 24, the military said.
Joint operatives from the military’s 50thInfantry Battalion, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cagayan and Cordillera agents, and Tinglayan town police discovered the plantation sites, said Army Captain Jefferson Somera, the 5th Infantry Division spokesperson.
Earlier, law enforcement agents burned some PHPP14.5-million marijuana plants, dried leaves, seeds and marijuana powder in Barangay Chumanchil on February 11.
Maj. Gen. Perfecto Rimando Jr., 5th Infantry Division commander, lauded the soldiers, police and PDEA agents for working “behind the success of the anti-marijuana operation.”
“The Army has remained steadfast to its purpose of providing law enforcement support to our law enforcers in support of the anti-illegal drug campaign of our government,” the Army division commander said.
He claimed that New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are also “maintaining and selling marijuana as one of their sources of finances to support their group.” (Bill Visaya/PNA)
