MANILA, Philippines — More than a ton of confiscated illegal drugs valued at P3.8 billion were destroyed in Cavite on Thursday.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the destruction of the seized drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado in Trece Martirez City.
At least 300 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P3.7 billion, 9.5 liters of liquid shabu worth P34.5 million, eight kilos of cocaine worth P60 million and 144.5 kilos of marijuana valued at P17 million were destroyed through thermal decomposition.
The PDEA said the destruction of the illegal drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Authorities said the destruction should dispel allegations that confiscated drugs are being used or recycled by reselling them.
Last July, P6.05 billion worth of illegal drugs seized in raids and stings were destroyed.
More than P30 billion worth of illegal drugs have been destroyed since July 2016.
Cop, suspect slain in drug bust
Meanwhile, a police officer and a suspect were killed in a drug bust, which ended in a hostage-taking incident in Pillila, Rizal, yesterday.
S/Sgt. Michael Cabillo died at the scene.
Police said the suspect, Neser Tena, opened fire when he sensed he had sold shabu to an anti-drug operative in Barangay Bagumbayan at around 11:51 a.m.
Maj. Florante Yu, Pillila police chief, said Cabillo stormed an apartment he was renting and held hostage several children.
A crisis management team decided to conduct an assault after negotiations failed.
The children were rescued unhurt and are now under the custody of social workers.
S/Sgt. Lazaro Guinao-way and Patrolman Ryan Santos of the Explosive Ordnance Division and Special Weapons and Tactics of the local police were wounded in the shootout.