The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed three ships to patrol the West Philippine Sea in the Ilocos region following the recent recovery of billions worth of floating shabu in the area.
THE Coast Guard is using drones to look for floating shabu in the West Philippine Sea in the Ilocos region. (PCG photo)
Coast Guard District North Western Luzon chief Capt. Mark Larsen Mariano said they have deployed two high-speed response boats and the BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) to intensify maritime patrol operations in the region.
Mariano also said that aerial surveillance using drones are being conducted to locate and recover remaining sacks of shabu drifting at sea.
“We will not halt our recovery efforts until every last sack is secured. The Ilocos region must not be allowed to become a corridor for transnational crimes. I will not let these criminal elements further endanger the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.
Mariano thanked local fishermen for surrendering contraband.
“You are the real heroes. Without your vigilance and assistance, securing this quantity of illegal drugs would not have been possible,” Mariano said.
Approximately one ton of suspected shabu valued at ₱6.8 billion have been found in the WPS in Pangasinan since June 5. This was described as one of the largest maritime drug seizures in recent Philippine history.