Cops destroy large marijuana farm in South Cotabato

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — Authorities uprooted Thursday 1,712 fully-grown marijuana plants in a hinterland in Tampakan town reportedly propagated by the New People’s Army.

Superintendent Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of the Police Regional Office-12, said Friday their agents carried out the operation with the help of the municipal government of Tampakan, a highland town in South Cotabato.

Barangay residents have confirmed that it was local NPA guerillas who planted marijuana in a secluded area in Barangay Danlag.

Gonzalez said PRO-12’s regional director, Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, ordered the raid of the farm immediately after vigilant barangay residents notified the Tampakan municipal police about it.

Villagers led the police team, led by Senior Inspector Rafael Banggay Jr., to the marijuana farm, enabling him and his companions to destroy it promptly and retreat to a safe area.

Barangay officials said the gunmen guarding the farm scampered away when they noticed policemen approach from two directions, firearms aimed at their position.

Gonzalez said the Tampakan municipal police shall file corresponding criminal cases against the people who ran the farm.