In a significant move to swiftly destroy the massive stockpile of floating methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu dicovered by local fishermen off the coast of Luzon, President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr. conducted an ocular inspection of the recovered drugs at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Gymnasium, National Headquarters in Quezon City yesterday , June 24, 2025.
President Marcos was joined by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla; Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Secretary Oscar Valenzuela; Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III; and Secretary Eduardo Año, Head of the National Security Council (NSC).
“No less than the President ordered PDEA to destroy the floating meth as quickly as possible. After the President’s inspection, the contraband will be destroyed in less than 24 hours in Capas, Tarlac”, said PDEA Director General Undersecretary IsaganiNerez.
Up for destruction by way of thermal decomposition are the 1,304.604 kilograms of shabu packs, with an estimated street price of ?8,871,307,200.00, found drifting in the waters of the provinces of Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Cagayan.
Since no person is apprehended and no criminal case is filed, the drugs will be destroyed on account of a written order issued by the PDEA Director General. Appropriate inventory of the drugs in the presence of required witnesses, the conduct of forensic laboratory examination, and issuances of prescribed reports have also been carried out.
On top of the shabu finds, also due for burning are the 226.043 kilograms of assorted dangerous drugs valued at around ?609 million that were seized from various anti-drug operations and ordered to be destroyed by virtue of court orders.
President Marcos has ordered the country’s law enforcement agencies to intensify security and protection of coastlines and other maritime routes to avert future attempts of drug smuggling.
On the part of PDEA, the Agency remains firm in its resolve to protect the Filipino people by leading the fight against illegal drugs through the forging of partnerships with communities, maritime stakeholders, and other law enforcement agencies to guard the national shores against possible entry of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile Navy spokesman on West Philippine Read Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad sea told media during weekly AFP balitaan held at Villamor Air Base “that is not far-fetched na ito ay galing o isang effort ng Chinese Communist Party.”
According to Radm Trinidad: To under undermine the future generation of Filipinos upang sirain ang kinabukasan ng isang bansa, buhusan ng maraming illicit na droga, ilegal na droga para ang kabataan ay masisira ang tamang pag-iisip. Hindi malayo na gagawin sa atin o ginagawa sa atin yan.”
The spokesman added: the President of the United States President Donald Trump, mentioned himself in his first term that if the Chinese Communist Party would stop the flow of fentanyl to the mainland US, then he will ease the economic sanctions that they imposed on China during the first term of President Trump.
“PDEA is deeply honored by the presence of the President. His attendance is a powerful statement itself that demonstrates a strong commitment and determination to end the scourge of illegal drugs.
