MANILA — In a lightning series of strikes, the Philippine National Police (PNP), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and partner units, seized more than ₱61 million worth of illegal drugs across the country on Friday, May 16, delivering a major blow to traffickers.
The biggest catch came in Patnanungan, Quezon, where police recovered 6.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine stuffed in five tape-sealed plastic bags, valued at over ₱34.5 million. A local fisherman spotted the suspicious packages that had apparently drifted ashore months earlier in a coastal area.
In Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, operatives arrested a high-value individual in a buy-bust operation and confiscated more than one kilogram of suspected shabu worth nearly ₱7 million.
Bacolod City saw three suspects arrested and around one kilogram of shabu seized, estimated at ₱6.8 million.
In Zamboanga City, joint operatives nabbed another suspect and hauled in approximately two kilograms of suspected shabu valued at ₱13.6 million.
Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. praised the operating teams and highlighted the critical role of public cooperation.
“Malaking tulong ang pakikipagtulungan ng mamamayan sa ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga. Kapag may impormasyon at agad itong naiuulat, mas mabilis nating naaaksyunan at napipigilan ang pagkalat ng ipinagbabawal na droga sa ating mga komunidad,” he said.
The PNP chief stressed that all operations are conducted strictly within the bounds of the law and form part of the intensified implementation of the PNP Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives on peace and public safety.
All seized drugs will undergo laboratory examination, while charges are being prepared against those arrested.
With these swift, intelligence-driven victories, the PNP continues its aggressive push toward a drug-free Philippines — proving that coordinated action and community vigilance remain the strongest weapons against illegal drugs.
