PCG to intensify patrol vs drugs

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will intensify its patrol operations to deter the entry of illegal drugs following the recovery of over P122.7 million worth of cocaine in the shorelines of Eastern Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao early this month.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the heightened monitoring of vessels possibly being used in transporting illegal drugs, intensify intel operations, expand coastal security patrols, and coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units to augment anti-illegal drug operations, especially in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines.

Gavan also directed the PCG to strengthen local fisherfolk networks within their areas of responsibility for a more robust monitoring system and accurate reporting of suspicious or unauthorized activities at sea.

On March 1, the PCG recovered a brick of cocaine weighing one kilogram and valued at P5.3 million off the village of Bungtod in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

The recovered item was turned over to the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit for further investigation.

On March 4, another brick of suspected cocaine weighing 1.08 kilograms and with an estimated value of P5.7 million was recovered by two fishermen near the same village.

On March 8, PCG personnel assisted Samuel Dalimpapas, a local fisherman, who found 20 bricks of suspected cocaine, each wrapped in two large plastic bags and enclosed in a fishnet, floating off the waters of Tangbo village in the town of Arteche, Eastern Samar. The bricks weighed around 25 kilograms and valued at P106 million.

On the same day, one brick of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 1.08 kilos and valued at P5.7 million was recovered by a group of students along the shoreline of Bitaug village in the town of Burgos, Surigao del Norte.

The following day, the PCG recorded another recovery of alleged cocaine along the shoreline of Valencia village in Lingig town, Surigao del Sur.