PDEA-6 taps power plant for destruction of seized drugs

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 and the PDEA-Negros Occidental is waiting for the top management of San Carlos Bio-Energy, Inc. (SCBI) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to allow the destruction of seized illegal drugs next month.

PDEA-Negros Occidental head Nicolas Gomez said they visited the site this week and discussed their request to utilize the Bio-Energy facility for the activity which was tentatively scheduled for Nov 26, 2021.

Gomez said that around 8 to 10 kilos of shabu worth P70 million will be incinerated at the facility.

For their part, the company assured that the company is willing to pool its resources to help PDEA carry out its mandate upon the approval of its top management, provided that all statutory and regulatory requirements are fully complied with.

This will be the first Destruction of Drugs activity that will be catered by SCBI.

Further, to determine its suitability for the burning of drug evidence, an ocular inspection was conducted at the facility’s broiling machinery, and it was eventually found fit to incinerate drug items.

Under the Guidelines on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), of Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by RA 10640, thermal destruction method shall be used in the destruction of drug evidence, in accordance with applicable environmental laws.

PDEA may engage the professional services of third parties with thermal facilities covered by valid and subsisting permits and clearances issued by appropriate government agencies.