The Philippine National Police (PNP) said more than ₱43.6 million worth of marijuana plants and related illegal drug items were destroyed during a weeklong series of eradication operations in the Cordillera region.
In a statement Sunday, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) said it conducted 18 marijuana eradication operations from April 26 to May 2 across Benguet, Kalinga, and Mountain Province as part of its intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.
Authorities carried out 16 operations in Benguet and one operation each in Kalinga and Mountain Province.
The operations led to the discovery and destruction of around 183,034 fully grown marijuana plants, 84,000 marijuana seedlings, and about 30,940 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops.
Police estimated the total value of the destroyed illegal drugs at ₱43.679 million based on the standard drug price.
Among the provinces, the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office recorded the largest volume of marijuana plants eradicated, with an estimated value of ₱31.36 million. Benguet police accounted for about ₱10.7 million worth of marijuana, while Kalinga police destroyed crops valued at around ₱1.6 million.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended police units involved in the operations, citing their continued coordination with communities and partner agencies in addressing illegal drug activities in remote areas.
“Malaking bagay ang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng ating kapulisan sa publiko at partner agencies upang mapigilan ang paglaganap ng ilegal na droga. Hindi lamang ito simpleng operasyon—ito ay bahagi ng mas malawak nating layunin na mapanatiling ligtas at maayos ang ating mga komunidad,” Nartatez said.
He added that the PNP would continue to pursue intelligence-driven and lawful anti-drug operations while ensuring respect for human rights.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating kampanya laban sa illegal na droga sa paraang maayos, propesyonal, at naaayon sa batas. Ang mahalaga ay maramdaman ng mamamayan na nariyan ang PNP para magbigay ng seguridad at proteksyon,” he said.
The operations form part of the PNP’s Focused Agenda under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) program, which seeks to strengthen anti-illegal drug efforts and support the administration’s peace and order campaign.