The Philippine National Police (PNP) destroyed more than ₱162 million worth of marijuana plants and products in a one-day anti-illegal drug operation in Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Operatives of the Police Regional Office Cordillera, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Kalinga and other police units, raided eight marijuana plantation sites at Mt. Whatong in Barangay Loccong.
Authorities said the plantation areas covered about 52,000 square meters and contained around 456,000 fully grown marijuana plants, 338,000 seedlings, and 477,500 grams of dried marijuana stalks with leaves and fruiting tops.
The illegal crops had an estimated standard drug price of P162.02 million.
Police said drone surveillance helped locate the hidden plantations in the mountainous area, allowing ground units to conduct a coordinated eradication operation.
All marijuana plants discovered during the operation were documented, uprooted, and destroyed on site. Authorities are now tracking the individuals or groups behind the illegal cultivation.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operating units and said the operation showed the police force’s continued effort to cut the supply of illegal drugs at its source.
“Diretso ang ating utos, hanapin at putulin ang supply ng ilegal na droga kahit sa pinakamalalayong lugar. Saludo ako sa ating mga operatives. Tuloy-tuloy lang tayo sa trabaho para sa mas ligtas na komunidad,” Nartatez said.
The PNP said the operation forms part of its intensified anti-illegal drug campaign under its focused agenda and Enhanced Managing Police Operations, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen anti-drug efforts nationwide.
The police organization also vowed to sustain operations and improve coordination with other agencies to prevent the return of marijuana plantations in remote areas.