PHP 136M drugs and expired medicines destroyed in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6 led the destruction of approximately PHP 136.7 million worth of seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals at the Iloilo Thermal Decomposition Facility in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The drugs were confiscated in various operations conducted in Western Visayas, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, PDEA-6 public information officer, said the destroyed drugs included methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) weighing 19.272 kilos worth PHP 131,052,279, marijuana weighing 45 kilos worth PHP 5.4 million, ephedrine weighing 1.5 grams worth PHP 532 and psilocin weighing 2.336 kilos worth PHP 233,298.

Around PHP 31,350 worth of expired medicines were also disposed of.

Tanaleon said the oldest drug evidence dated back to the early 2000s, while the latest was from 2025.

Last year, PDEA-6 destroyed illegal and dangerous drugs worth more than PHP 143 million, the largest volume of illegal drugs destroyed in Western Visayas.

PDEA-6 acting regional director Ralph Rommel Torres led the destruction ceremony.

He was joined by representatives from the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, Public Attorney’s Office, local government officials, non-government organizations and media partners.

“The destruction of dangerous drugs and chemicals was done to prevent recycling. More than anything, we want to dispel any public notion that confiscated drugs are being retrieved for reselling,” Torres said.

With the help of other government agencies and local government units, PDEA-6 continues its aggressive campaign against illegal drugs in the region, he added.

“With the continued support and cooperation of the courts, we assure the people of Western Visayas that we can look forward to more activities like this to witness the actual destruction of confiscated drugs and chemicals,” Torres said.

He said the agency believes the vision for a drug-free Philippines is achievable if all duty bearers and stakeholders fulfill their mandates and responsibilities.

The drugs and medicines were exterminated through thermal destruction.

Also referred to as thermal decomposition or thermolysis, thermal destruction is the method of breaking down chemicals by heat.

At 1,000 degrees Celsius, all dangerous drugs are completely decomposed.

The destruction of illegal drugs is in accordance with Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1.

Under Section 21 of RA 9165, PDEA is mandated to take charge and have custody of all confiscated, seized and surrendered dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, as well as related instruments and laboratory equipment, for proper disposition.