Palace: Gov't to boost efforts vs Mexican drug group

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang assured on Thursday that the government will increase its measures to neutralize a dreaded Mexican drug cartel whose presence in country has been confirmed by local authorities.

"Siyempre po pag-iibayuhin ang pagsisikap na masabat o mahuli ang mga lumalabag sa batas; itigil ang kanilang krimen, at pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan," Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma said in a press briefing.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the dreaded Sinoloa drug syndicate has made its way to the country.

PDEA head Arturo Cacdac Jr. confirmed this after 84 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P420 million was seized in a raid in Batangas.

For their part, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said the police force is now probing how the drug group was able to enter the country.

He said among the possibilities being looked into is that the drug cartel sneaked into the Philippines through the backdoor in its southernmost part.