In accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to eradicate illegal drugs in the country, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported the seizure of approximately PHP1.37 billion in various operations from November 2022 to February 2023.
In a news release issued by the Presidential Communications Operations on Friday, the PDEA, the lead agency in the campaign against illegal drugs, said these operations were launched in accordance with the Marcos administration's three-point drug war approach: mapping and prevention, cure, and enforcement.
Based on a report submitted to Malacañang, operatives of the PDEA, under Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo, launched 405 operations that resulted in the arrest of 728 drug personalities from Nov. 21, 2022, to Feb. 28, 2023.
Confiscated 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 that a total of 115 high-impact operations were launched, which resulted in the dismantling of 79 drug dens, the eradication of 12 marijuana plantations, and 24 high-volume seizures.
These anti-illegal drug operations also resulted in the arrest of 548 high-value targets (HVTs), which is vital in disrupting the proliferation of dangerous drugs in the country, PDEA noted.
According to the PDEA, these anti-illegal drug operations resulted in the arrest of 548 high-value targets (HVTs), critical in disrupting the proliferation of dangerous drugs in the country.
Four elected officials, 15 government employees, nine foreigners, 42 target-listed personalities, 102 drug den operators, and one uniformed personnel were among those apprehended.
From November 2022 to January 2023, the PDEA also monitored 11,316 drug cases filed in court, of which 7,038 were resolved, 6,079 were convicted, 635 were acquitted, and 324 were dismissed.
PDEA reported that during the same time period, it carried out 15,803 Preventive Education and Community Involvement (PECI) activities in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Meanwhile, PDEA has also spearheaded the implementation of the Balay Silangan Reformation Program, which is critical in reforming and reintegrating drug offenders, as part of its demand reduction efforts.
Since its inception in 2018, PDEA has established 19 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide, resulting in 6,019 graduates and 1,795 employed individuals.
According to PDEA, these centers have served 1,450 clients to date.
