PNP: Biggest drug haul came from ‘different source’

COMPARED TO PREVIOUS SEIZURES

The P13.3 billion worth of shabu seized in Alitagtag, Batangas came from a different source compared to the illegal drugs confiscated in previous operations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

“Ang initial assessment po natin ay iba po ang origin nitong drugs na ito compared doon sa mga previous na nakumpiska natin,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press conference.

(Our initial assessment is that the origin of these drugs is different compared to the previous ones we confiscated.)

According to Fajardo, the packaging and markings on the seized shabu in Batangas are unique.

“Malaki po yung pagkakaiba po sa mga previous na nakikita natin na naka-contain sa mga foreign-looking na mga teabags po. Ito po ay nakalagay sa plastic container. Malayo po yung markings niya doon sa normally na nakikita natin sa previous drug hauls po,” she added.

(There is a big difference from the previous ones that we see contained in foreign-looking teabags. It is placed in a plastic container. Its markings are different from what we normally see in previous drug hauls.)

Fajardo said the police are looking into the possibility that a drug syndicate was behind the confiscated illegal drugs.

Authorities are also checking if the seized shabu was only part of a bigger shipment of illegal drugs, according to Fajardo.

Marcos’ warning

The two tons of shabu was seized on Monday, which authorities said was the biggest haul in the country’s history.

On Tuesday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself inspected the confiscated illegal drugs.

The President warned members of drug syndicates that his administration would prosecute them with the full force of the law.

“Bahala kayo sa ginagawa ninyo basta’t tuloy-tuloy lang kami. Aabutan din namin kayo. Maliit lang ang Pilipinas,” Marcos said in an ambush interview after inspecting the inventory of the reported P13.3 billion worth of drugs in Alitagtag, Batangas.

(We will not relent in our efforts. We will catch up with you eventually. The Philippines is a small country.)

The President, meanwhile, highlighted that the latest haul was the “biggest” under his administration, but no one was killed in the operations.

“I would like also to point out, that this is the biggest shipment of shabu na nahuli natin, but not one person died. Walang namatay. Walang nagputukan, walang nasaktan (Nobody got hurt. No shots were fired, nobody was hurt),” Marcos said.

Checkpoints

Alitagtag Municipal Police Station conducted an intelligence-driven checkpoint in Barangay Pinagkurusan around 8 a.m. and seized the illegal drugs.

A male suspect was arrested and placed under the custody of authorities.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said that authorities are now tracing the source of the illegal drugs.

Abalos added that more checkpoints will be put up in key areas across the country to prevent and block the entry and shipment of illegal drugs.

“Paiigtingin natin ang mga intelligence-driven checkpoints. We must also be flexible and must adapt to the changing times by maximizing the use of technology in our war against drugs,” he said.

(We will boost our intelligence-driven checkpoints.)

He added that he will ensure that the PNP will abide by the guidance of the President that the illegal drugs campaign should always be above board and law enforcers should adhere to the rule of law.

“If there is anything (the President) always emphasizes, dapat idaan sa tamang proseso kaya ito ang ginagawa namin at patuloy na gagawin,” added Abalos.

(The President always emphasizes that everything should undergo the right process. This is what we are doing and will continue to do.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News