Archival seeks swift drug disposal

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. is pushing for the immediate destruction of confiscated illegal drugs once the required samples have been secured for evidence, saying prolonged storage fuels public suspicion that seized narcotics are being "recycled" and weakens public confidence in law enforcement.

Archival said he raised the issue during a meeting with officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last week, stressing that only the samples needed for court proceedings should be retained while the remaining confiscated drugs should be destroyed without delay.

“Akong gipanghingusgan… Actually nag-meeting me sa PDEA, I think that was a week ago… ang akong nakuyawan man gud naa man guy mga esturya nga kaning mga nadakpan, ma-recycle,” Archival told reporters during his latest press conference at City Hall.

His call came as authorities on Tuesday, July 28, carried out the largest destruction of dangerous drugs ever recorded in Central Visayas.

Destroyed were 99.45 kilograms of shabu, 2.54 kilograms of marijuana, 8 milliliters of nalbuphine hydrochloride, 18 grams of ephedrine, and expired regulated medicines, with a combined estimated value of ?676,659,213.84.

Conducted under tight security and pursuant to court orders, the disposal surpassed the previous regional record set on December 17, 2025, when authorities destroyed 68.819 kilograms of shabu and other illegal drugs valued at ?468 million.

The latest destruction also exceeded the June 2025 disposal of 82.34 kilograms of illegal drugs worth ?560.4 million and the November 2024 destruction of 71.83 kilograms valued at ?489.4 million, reflecting a steady increase in the volume of narcotics permanently removed from circulation since the region's first documented destruction in 2017.

Archival said Tuesday's disposal embodied the approach he has been advocating.

The mayor also underscored the need for closer coordination among PDEA, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation as drug syndicates continue to adopt new methods of operation.

He cited incidents in which individuals posing as beggars were caught transporting illegal drugs, saying authorities must continually adapt to such tactics.

“Klase-klase na gyud ang modus operandi… nangita gyud silag paagi nga mupadong gyud sila sa kadalanan,” he said.

Beyond enforcement, Archival reiterated the city's preventive campaign, particularly efforts to educate young people about the dangers of illegal drug use and addiction.

“Pagpangitag paagi nga ang drugs dili ma distribute… padayon sa drive sa pagstorya sa atong mga kabataan sa problema kung ma-hook mo ani, kadahanghanan, ma mentally derange… makita sa dan… 90% gikan sa drugs,” he warned.

The mayor's renewed push for greater accountability follows Cebu City's participation in the Regional Coordination Meeting on the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) on July 20, where local government units in Central Visayas aligned strategies to strengthen anti-drug programs.

Representing Cebu City, Local Government Operations Officer V Marven Ecarma joined Anti-Drug Abuse Council focal persons from across the region in discussions on improving the implementation of anti-illegal drug initiatives.

Officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government emphasized during the meeting that technical assistance and capacity-building, alongside performance assessment, are essential to sustaining local anti-drug efforts.

Days later, Archival reinforced the city's campaign by undergoing a surprise drug test at City Hall together with more than 100 city employees as part of Cebu City's Drug-Free Workplace Program.

“Kung gusto nato og drug-free ug healthy workplace, dili lang ta kutob sa policies ug reminders. Kinahanglan magsugod kini sa atong leadership,” Archival said, affirming his commitment to accountability. — (FREEMAN)