PDEA burns P286-Mseized illegal drugs

By Mar S. Arguelles

SOME P286-million worth of illegal drugs seized in various drug stings in the Bicol region were burned on Friday, Nov. 27, in an incinerator facility in Camalig town in Albay province, a report from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

Cotton Talento, PDEA Bicol spokesperson, said 42 kilos of shabu or crystal meth and nine kilos of marijuana were burned through thermal destruction at the Goodfound Cement Corporation incinerator facility in Barangay Palanog, Camalig.

Talento said the burning of the seized illegal drug was in compliance with the recent agency directive to destroy all seized illegal drugs that had been approved by the court for destruction, either because the cases had been already decided, or the judge had allowed the destruction of the illegal drugs, despite pending cases.

Recovered or surrendered illegal drugs with no pending cases and no persons arrested were also destroyed.

The destruction of dangerous drugs is pursuant to the mandate of Section 21 of RA 9165 and its Implementing Rules & Regulations, she said.

The burning ceremony was witnessed by Timoteo A. Panga, Jr., presiding judge of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 60, Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Panga encouraged all drug courts in the Bicol region to fast-track cases and issue orders for immediate destruction once drug cases are terminated.