PDEA: Drug-affected barangays mostly in Metro Manila, 2 other regions

MANILA, Philippines — Most of the drug-affected barangays are in Metro Manila and two other regions, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported on Monday.

The PDEA said 6,292 barangays remain affected by illegal drugs. Drug-cleared barangays totaled 29,211 under the administration of President Marcos.

According to PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon, severely drug-affected barangays are located in the so-called “centers of gravity in the country.”

“We are talking of the National Capital Region as well as Calabarzon and Region 3,” Carreon said at a press briefing.

Carreon did not give a breakdown of the drug-affected barangays in the three regions.

Up to 114,892 people have been arrested in the war on drugs under the Marcos administration, the PDEA said. Of the number, 7,364 are tagged as high-value targets.

Up to 12,183 kilos of shabu, cocaine and marijuana as well as 115,081 Ecstasy pills amounting to P49.82 billion were seized in anti-narcotics operations from July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30 this year.

To ensure transparency, Carreon said the PDEA operations were conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation.

The PDEA is also coordinating with the Armed Forces for the conduct of anti-narcotics operations in areas with presence of threat groups.