Anti-drug agencies confiscated more than P2 billion worth of methamphetamine in two successful anti-illegal drug operations conducted in one week, the country’s interior chief reported on Tuesday.
During President Duterte’s televised Talk to the People on COVID-19, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año reported that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), together with the police and other authorities successfully seized on October 16 240 kilos worth of shabu, amounting to P1.65 billion in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
“Gusto ko lang pong bigyan ng pansin ang dalawang insidente. Ang isa ay naganap noong 16 October, 3:30 p.m. sa Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmariñas, Cavite, kung saan ang pinagsanib na puwersa ng PDEA, PNP, AFP, NICA, at Bureau of Customs ay nakapag-conduct ng buy-bust operations na nakapag-aresto ng dalawang drug pusher at naka-confiscate ng 240 kilos worth of shabu, naghahalaga po ng P1.65 billion,” Año reported.
In a separate buy-bust operation last October 18, authorities also confiscated 38 kilos worth of shabu amounting to P262 million in Angeles City, Pampanga, he said.
Four Chinese drug traffickers died after they resisted arrest during the operation conducted in Punta Verde Subdivision, Pulung Cacutud, Angeles City.
“Kaya makikita po natin sa loob lamang po ng isang linggo, P2,011,570,419 worth of shabu ang ating nakumpiska. Maituturing po na isa ito sa pinakamalaking accomplishment ng ating mga law enforcers,” the interior secretary said.
Meanwhile, Ano warned candidates vying for elective positions not to provide financial or material support to the enemies of the state to obtain permit-to-campaign or permit-to-win particularly in areas strongly influenced by terrorist organizations.
As the country gears toward the elections season, the interior chief told candidates that it is prohibited under the law to extend financial, material or political support to organizations like the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters, and other groups.
“Ang pagbabayad ng permit-to-campaign o permit-to-win sa mga teroristang ito ay katumbas ng pagsuporta sa kanilang iligal na gawain at masasabing hangarin. Mahigit itong ipinagbabawal sa ilalim ng ating batas,” he said.
Violators may face jail time or a fine ranging from P500,000 to P1 million, Ano said, citing RA 10168 or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
Such activity is also prohibited under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines and offenders could face imprisonment of one to six years as well as disqualification from any public office.
“Nakahanda po ang DILG na magsampa ng kaso upang i-disqualify ang mga kandidatong mapapatunayang nagbabayad o nagbibigay ng anumang uri ng suporta sa mga teroristang grupo oras na magsimula ang ating campaign period sa 2022 Election, lalong-lalo na po sa CPP-NPA-NDF,” he warned. PND
