PDEA highlights process of destroying drugs

CEBU, Philippines —  Citing the legal provisions governing the handling of illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 7 (PDEA-7) outlined the processes and methods involved in the destruction and disposition of seized illegal drugs and marijuana during the “Kapihan Kontra Droga” forum held last Thursday, May 28.

Atty. Jannen Gabunada, assistant chief of the PDEA-7 Legal and Prosecution Unit, underscored Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as the primary legal basis governing drug destruction procedures. She emphasized the provision requiring seized items to be immediately marked and inventoried.

"After the inventory, it will be subjected to laboratory examination," she said, noting the importance of the presence of insulating witnesses throughout the process.

Gabunada also stressed that the destruction of illegal drugs follows strict legal procedures and requires the issuance of appropriate court orders.

"Naa g’yud ni siyay proseso i-follow and one of these is, we need to file a Motion for Ocular Inspection of Drugs," Gabunada said.

PDEA-7 chief chemist Jonah Pinanonang explained that once the seized items are submitted for laboratory examination, the chemistry report must be released within 24 hours to the operating units to facilitate the filing of charges against the accused.

She added that after laboratory testing, the evidence is turned over to the evidence custodian for safekeeping in the agency's evidence room.

"The only time it will be released from the evidence room is when there is a court order," Pinanonang said.

She said the release of drug evidence from the evidence room requires the presence of three authorized personnel: the PDEA-7 regional director, the chief chemist, and the evidence custodian.

Once the court receives the drug evidence, it is required to issue orders for its immediate destruction and disposition in accordance with the law.

For the destruction, insulating witnesses, including the accused, representatives from the Department of Justice, civil society groups, and the media, must be present.

Pinanonang further said that under the law, marijuana plants discovered during eradication operations must be destroyed on-site via burning and buried underground afterward. Samples are retained and brought to the laboratory for further examination and documentation.

All destruction procedures are thoroughly documented to prevent the recycling, diversion, or mishandling of drug evidence.

Meanwhile, Nezen Tomabini, chief laboratory dangerous drugs regulation officer of the Compliance Section of PDEA-7, discussed the controlled precursors and essential chemicals listed under the annexes of RA 9165. These substances are regulated by PDEA because they serve as ingredients or starting materials in the manufacture of illegal drugs.

She cited acetone, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, toluene, and ethyl ether as examples of controlled chemicals, which are usually found in laboratories and manufacturing industries.

Tomabini emphasized the mission of PDEA-7's Compliance Section to regulate and monitor these chemicals while ensuring their availability for legitimate industrial, medical, and commercial use in the country.

“Kasi hindi naman talaga siya pwedeng i-ban totally, because mayroong mga chemical industries or pharmaceutical industries na gumagamit ng mga chemicals na ito,” she explained.

Drug suspects fall

Nearly ?4 million worth of suspected shabu and six loose firearms were seized by the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) in a series of anti-illegal drug and anti-criminality operations across Central Visayas within a 24-hour period from May 29 to 30.

Based on the accomplishment report, a total of 586.03 grams of shabu with a standard drug price value of ?3,985,004 were confiscated during the operations.

The biggest drug haul was recorded during a buy-bust operation conducted by the City Intelligence Unit and City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Mandaue City Police Office around 3:48 P.M. last Friday in Lower Matimco, Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Arrested was a suspected identified only as “Matmat”, 33, listed as a high-value individual and a resident of Barrio Luz, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City. Seized from him were 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of ?3.4 million.

In Cebu City, an alleged drug personality was arrested and about ?120,000 worth of suspected drugs was seized in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of Mabolo Police Station 4 in Sitio Holyname, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, past 11 P.M. last Friday.

Authorities identified the suspect as alias “El-El”, 26, and a resident of Barangay Basak, Cebu City. Seize from him was suspected shabu weighting 15 grams with an estimated value of ?102,000.

Also recovered from the suspect were a .45 cal. pistol, a magazine, and four live rounds.

Authorities said he is also the prime suspect behind the fatal shooting of a certain Winston Inopiquez Primitivo, 32, in the same barangay, last March 27, 2025. They also added he was allegedly linked to the Graciano gun-for-hire group.

He will face charges for drugs and illegal possession of firearms. — (FREEMAN) Romeo Marantal with Marjorey B. Cantila and Paul Benedict Sariana, CNU interns/BR