March 29, 2024

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera reported significant gains in the campaign against illegal drugs in the past three months and assured intensified operations will be implemented in partnership with the Police Regional Office-Cordillera.
PDEA-Cordillera Director Gil Cesario Castro, during the first quarter Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council presided by RPOC Chair and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong,  reported  anti-illegal drug operations conducted from December 2020 to February resulted in the arrest of 83 drug personalities and seizure of around P134.67 million worth of illegal drugs and dangerous substances.
There were also 138 cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and other related cases filed in court.
Castro said there were 44 marijuana eradication operations conducted in Tinglayan, Kalinga and  in Bakun and Kibungan in Benguet during the period, which resulted in the uprooting and confiscation of fully grown marijuana plants and seedlings with a total estimated Dangerous Drug Board value of P87.81M.
PDEA also continuously monitors, assesses, and validates drug-cleared and drug-affected barangays. 
Of the 1,177 barangays in Cordillera, 361 are unaffected by illegal drugs, 739 were cleared, and 75 others are still listed in the illegal drug-affected barangays.
There is also one illegal drugs group and 118 drug personalities (43 under the target list and 75 under the watch list) being monitored for their operations in the Cordillera.
Castro assured PDEA-Cordillera and the PRO-Cor, under the leadership of B/Gen. R’Win Pagkalinawan, are working hand-in-hand in ensuring effective anti-illegal drug operations in the region.
PDEA-Cordillera and PRO-Cor have a unified list to ensure more coordinated and intensified operation in the fight against illegal and dangerous substance in the region. – Carlito C. Dar