Manila: Government anti-drug operatives have seized PHP7.50 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested 107 suspects in operations from March 6 to 12. The arrests and seizures resulted from 85 operations, including buy-busts, interdictions, controlled deliveries, and marijuana eradication.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez stated, "By removing PHP7.50 billion worth of illegal drugs from circulation, we have prevented immense harm to our communities." The seized drugs included 948,670.34 grams of suspected shabu; 853,895.21 grams of 'kush'; 67,070 marijuana plants; 31,084.12 grams of dried marijuana leaves; 17,900 grams of marijuana stalks; 2,601.40 milliliters of marijuana oil; and 200 ecstasy tablets. Among those arrested were 50 drug pushers and 29 drug den visitors, all of whom will face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a separate statement, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported the arrest of 327 individuals for various offenses in Metro Manila from March 8 to 15. Of these, 128 were listed as most wanted persons. The NCRPO also noted a 20 percent drop in focus crimes, from 132 cases in the same period last year to 106 this year. Focus crimes include murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, carjacking of motorcycles and motor vehicles, and theft.

The report highlighted declines in specific crimes, with rape cases dropping from 25 to 6, murder from 7 to 4, and motor vehicle carjacking from 3 to 0. Motorcycle theft decreased from 9 to 4, burglary from 54 to 48, and physical injury from 18 to 17. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that the weeklong operations were part of the PNP Focused Agenda under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations strategy, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to maintain peace and order and protect the public.