The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) supports a proposed bill that would seek the immediate destruction of all confiscated illegal drugs during anti-drug operations.
House Bill No. 9668, dubbed the “Prompt Dangerous Drugs Destruction Act of 2023”, a bill authored by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert “Ace” Barbers, Chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, would mandate all law enforcement units to promptly destroy seized illegal drugs no longer needed as evidence in court through incineration facilities, including crematoriums, at no cost.
PDEA supports the intention and purpose behind the proposed bill. The bill, once approved by Congress, can be a huge prevention effort against drug pilferage and recycling, according to PDEA Spokesman Director Derrick Carreon .
Prohibited drugs must be destroyed once and for all before they reach the hands of intended consumers hence, dismissing any communal inkling that those seized by authorities are being recycled or peddled back in the streets.
Through the bill, PDEA shall have greater leverage to act on its vested authority to burn seized illegal drugs within the prescribed period. The Agency has no destruction provision at its disposal and relies heavily on the use of accredited waste management facilities to destroy illegal drugs. The availability of incineration and cremation facilities free of charge would serve the purpose.
PDEA is thankful to Congressman Barbers for sponsoring House Bill No. 9668. The Agency is hoping for the positive response of our legislators for the reconsideration of this bill and its enactment into law in the future, Director Carreon added.
While PDEA is the sole authority to take charge and have custody of all confiscated drug evidence, the decision to destroy them does not rest upon the shoulders of the Agency. It has to be ordered by the courts.
The expeditious prosecution and disposition of drug cases, together with the passage of House Bill No. 9668, should address the prevailing concern of destroying illegal drugs more consistently and faster.
