City Administrator Wendell Sotto has commended the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office-9, other law enforcement units and the Public Prosecutor’s Office for their continued campaign against the illegal drug trade in Zamboanga City.

In a brief statement during the press briefing in City Hall Wednesday, Nov. 15, Atty. Sotto said the fight against illegal drugs in the city is strong as he personally witnessed the destruction of approximately P42.44M worth of seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) at the Permex Plant in Ayala Monday, November 14.

“It shows that our fight against illegal drugs is strong,” he said with reference to the destruction activity, where he represented Mayor John Dalipe.

Destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis, were 6,232.5868 kgs of methamphetamine hydrochloride (HCl) (worth P42.38M) and 538.4432 kilos of marijuana (worth P64,613.18), according to PDEA.

Thermal decomposition or thermolysis involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat.

The destruction was also witnessed by representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media, police, prosecutors, Public Attorneys Office (PAO), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), PDEA city office, and other partner agencies witnessed the destruction.

Meanwhile PDEA-9 Assistant Regional Director Ralph Rommel Torres also lauded Mayor Dalipe, the prosecutors, courts, media, CSOs, police and other partner agencies for sharing the common goal of eradicating illegal drugs in this part of the country. He said the event Monday was proof that “we can make things happen if we work together.”

The seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals were covered by court orders for destruction issued by various courts.-[Vic Larato]