Iloilo city: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will lead the destruction of an estimated PHP136.9 million worth of dangerous drugs in a ceremony on Thursday. Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, PDEA 6 (Western Visayas) information officer, stated in an interview on Wednesday that the event will take place at the Iloilo City Landfill in Barangay Calahunan, Mandurriao.

According to Philippines News Agency, the destruction ceremony is mandated by Republic Act 9165, which ensures that illegal drugs are properly disposed of to prevent them from being reproduced or recycled. This process is meant to demonstrate transparency and accountability, ensuring that illegal drugs do not return to the communities. The PDEA has confirmed that no substances will find their way back into barangays or the community.

PDEA data indicates that the largest volume of dangerous substances to be destroyed is shabu. Over 19.27 kilograms of shabu will be eliminated, valued at PHP131.05 million. Additional items scheduled for destruction include 45 kilograms of marijuana worth PHP5.4 million, ephedrine valued at PHP532,322, and psilocin worth PHP233,698. The destruction list also includes seven kits and 778 tablets of expired medicines.

These items were confiscated by various law enforcement agencies in the region. Tanaleon mentioned that a court order has already been issued to destroy the drugs, and the agency aims to conduct one destruction ceremony every semester. The frequency of such events will depend on the availability of facilities and the value of items retrieved through their laboratory and prosecution unit.