September 23, 2022 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Local government officials should play a proactive role in the eradication of marijuana plantations in the country.
The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) is seeking to collaborate with governors and mayors to ensure that marijuana plantations will no longer proliferate.
PDEG director Brig. Gen. Narcisco Domingo cited the massive volumes of marijuana plants seized in the past several days.
Marijuana plants worth P52 million were uprooted and destroyed in Tinglayan, Kalinga on Sept. 12.
On Sept. 17, 50,000 marijuana plants valued at P10 million were confiscated in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
No cultivators were arrested in the two operations.
“It has been observed that cultivations of marijuana plantations in specific areas… have been accurately chronic,” Domingo said in a statement.
He said local chief executives can help eradicate marijuana plantations by spraying chemicals so that seedlings can no longer develop.
Anti-narcotics agents said 720,000 marijuana plants worth P143 million were seized from Sept. 12 to 18.
The PDEG seized illegal drugs, including 61,495 grams of shabu worth P562.16 million during the same period.
