By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified sea patrols in the vicinity waters of Pangasinan and Ilocos after one ton of shabu were found by fisherfolk floating in the area since June 5.
In a situation update on Monday, the PCG said BRP Cabra and two high-speed response boats have been dispatched in the area in addition to the deployment of an aerial drone for surveillance to locate and recover more sacks of illegal drugs believed to be still adrift.
PCG District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN) Commander Capt. Mark Larsen Mariano assured the PCG’s full commitment to the joint anti-illegal drug operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs), and fishing communities.
“We will not halt our recovery efforts until every sack is secured. The Ilocos region must not be allowed to become a corridor for transnational crimes. We will not let these criminal elements further endanger the lives of fellow Filipinos,” Mariano said.
He also thanked local fisherfolk for their assistance when they surrendered the sacks of shabu they recovered while fishing.
“You are the real heroes. Without your vigilance and assistance, securing this quantity of illegal drugs would not have been possible,” he added.
To date, Mariano said maritime patrols and aerial surveillance in the region remain active to complete the recovery operation and to prevent further smuggling of illegal drugs in Philippine waters.
On Sunday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate destruction of the nearly PHP4 billion worth of shabu found by fisherfolk in Pangasinan waters. (PNA)
