By Prince Golez
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has confiscated around P1.37 billion worth of illegal substances in various operations from November 2022 to February 2023.
PDEA said these operations were launched in adherence to the administration’s 3-point drug war approach: mapping and prevention, cure and enforcement.
The agency launched 405 operations that arrested 728 drug personalities from November 21, 2022 to February 28, 2023, a reported submitted to Malacañang showed.
Seized during the operations were 177.21 kilos of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride, 200.22 kilos of dried leaves and bricks of marijuana, 565,160 pieces of marijuana plants, 1,687 grams of cocaine, and 16,782 tablets of Ecstasy.
During the same period, PDEA also reported a total of 115 high-impact operations that resulted in the destruction of 79 drug dens, eradication of 12 marijuana plantations, and 24 high-volume seizures.
These anti-illegal drugs operations also led to the arrest of 548 high-value targets (HVTs), which is vital in disrupting the proliferation of dangerous drugs in the country.
Among the apprehended HVTs were four elected officials, 15 government employees, nine foreigners, 42 target-listed personalities, 102 drug den operators, and one uniformed personnel.
From November 2022 to January 2023, PDEA also monitored 11,316 drug cases filed before the courts, of which 7,038 cases were resolved, 6,079 were convicted, 635 were acquitted and 324 were dismissed.
In terms of demand reduction, PDEA said that during the same period, it had carried out a total of 15,803 Preventive Education and Community Involvement (PECI) activities in schools, workplaces, and communities.
They also spearheaded the implementation of the Balay Silangan Reformation Program, which is instrumental in reforming and reintegrating drug offenders.
PDEA has opened 19 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers across the country since 2018, resulting in 6,019 graduates and 1,795 employed individuals.
These centers currently serve 1, 450 clients.
