VP-elect Sara lauds PDEA for destruction of P14.29-B worth of illegal drugs
By Chito Chavez
Vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded on Thursday, June 2, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the destruction of P14,292,230.591 billion worth of dangerous drugs, the highest ever destructed contraband in the country.
Held at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) in Trece Martires City, Cavite, Duterte was the guest of honor during the multi-billion dangerous drugs destruction.
The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis, a process where chemical compounds are broken down with the use of tremendous heat.
At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are totally decomposed or broken down.
Reports of the PDEA Laboratory Service noted that among the largest quantities of illegal drugs destroyed include 2,076.523 kilograms of shabu, 426.479 kilograms of marijuana and 18.357 kilograms of ecstasy.
PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva noted that the burning of the dangerous drugs complies with the guidelines set in Republic Act (RA) 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002’’ and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002.
“I am confident that this activity symbolizes the fulfillment of duty and transparency, as well as serve as another stepping stone that will place this Agency to greater heights in the succeeding years,” said Duterte in a statement.
Villanueva lauded the different branches of Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) for the expeditious prosecution and disposition of drug cases. Illegal drugs no longer needed as evidence in court are immediately scheduled for destruction.
In a message, Villabueva said that in his two-year stint as PDEA chief more or less P34.635 billion worth of illegal drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and equipment used for making prohibited rugs were burned in the Integrated Waste Management Incorporated.
In the six-year term of President Duterte, Villanueva stressed that the government has been dead serious in ending the illegal drug trade in the country and thanked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for serving as the guiding force in the destruction of dangerous drugs. (Chito A. Chavez)