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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider PDEA strengthens coastal defense vs illegal drugs in Quezon

PDEA strengthens coastal defense vs illegal drugs in Quezon

Published Aug 12, 2026 11:22 am
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez during the dialogue with members of the fishing community at the Lucena Convention Center on Aug. 11 in Lucena City. (Danny Estacio)
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez during the dialogue with members of the fishing community at the Lucena Convention Center on Aug. 11 in Lucena City. (Danny Estacio)
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isagani Nerez said they have further strengthened coastal defense mechanisms through continuous patrols and engagement with fishing communities to prevent the entry of tons of illegal drugs through the country's waters .
Nerez, in a dialogue with fisherfolks of Lucena on Tuesday, August 11, said they need to collaborate with authorities by giving information or surrendering some of the illegal drugs they found while at sea.
Fisherfolks have found huge volumes of cocaine floating in Tayyaba’s Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Quezon has become a transshipment point for foreign drug traders.
The PDEA met with members of the fishing community in this city to bolster coastal surveillance and protect the Philippines' territory and sovereignty against foreign syndicates.
The drug agency highlighted the crucial role of fisherfolk as front liners at sea. The data indicates that foreign syndicates frequently utilize or contact local fishermen to locate or retrieve drugs that are set adrift or smuggled and offer them large sums of money in exchange.
"It is the obligation of the government and PDEA to share knowledge with our fisherfolk regarding the syndicates' modus operandi so that they are not put in harm's way or exploited for illegal activities," Nerez said.
He added that the agency also reaffirmed that PDEA serves as the lead agency for anti-drug law enforcement, working in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). All illegal drugs confiscated by various agencies are turned over to the PDEA.
Nerez emphasized that recent successful operations, including the seizure of over 1.4 tons of illegal drugs in Zambales and millions of pesos worth of floating cocaine and shabu in Quezon province, were the result of swift reporting.
A reward system was implemented by PDEA for the finders up to P2 million, depending on the classification or grade of the contraband found.

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