TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Marijuana worth P92 million were destroyed in a six-day eradication campaign under “Oplan Man-Gabut” in Tinglayan, this province.
Authorities said 444,900 marijuana plants were uprooted and burned. Also disposed were 30 kilograms of marijuana dried leaves and stalks and one kilogram of marijuana seeds.
These were found in 20 plantations in isolated areas in four barangays by the police, Naval Forces-Northern Luzon, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera from July 18 to 23.
Police Col. Peter Tagtag Jr., Kalinga Provincial Police Office chief, said three plantations were discovered and destroyed in Barangay Loccong. Planted there were 148,000 fully grown marijuana plants (FGMJ) valued at P29.6 million.
In Barangay Tulgao West, 141,500 FGMJ worth P28.3 million were discovered and these were swiftly destroyed and burned.
Forty thousand FGMJP valued at P8 million in Barangay Buscalan were also burned and destroyed.
In Barangay Butbut Proper, 114,400 FGMJP, 30 kilograms of marijuana dried leaves and stalks, and one kilogram of marijuana seeds were discovered with a value of P26.5 million.
“Despite the ongoing campaign by the police and government officials against the cultivation of marijuana, some farmers here just ignore it, so we will continue to do the eradication until we catch cultivators and file charges,” Tagtag said.