Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized PHP31.23 million worth of illegal drugs during operations from June 27 to July 4 in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to pursue a relentless campaign against the drug trade.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez stated that the agency conducted 48 intelligence-driven anti-drug operations nationwide. These included 36 buy-busts, four marijuana eradications, six executed search warrants, and two interdictions, resulting in the arrest of 55 drug personalities.

The regions that saw the highest number of anti-drug operations included Central Visayas, Caraga, and Cordillera. Nerez praised the continued compliance of the agency's regional offices with operational objectives to sustain and intensify counter-drug operations across the archipelago.

He emphasized that every operation strictly adheres to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s mandate, focusing on enforcing justice humanely while upholding the rule of law. Nerez highlighted the agency's approach of balancing accountability with compassion, specifically targeting major drug syndicates while encouraging families with drug-dependent members to seek rehabilitation in order to protect youth from the drug menace.