THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday vowed to deploy additional assets and personnel under the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan made the statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the PNP and the PCG to ensure the closure of all possible entry points of illegal drugs in the country.
Gavan instructed all Coast Guard Districts, Stations and Sub-Stations to intensify anti-drug operations in their respective areas.
“With this recent directive, we commit to broadening our maritime security and safety patrols by deploying more personnel and floating assets that perform 24/7 operations, especially within the Northwestern and Northeastern Luzon regions,” said Gavan.
Gavan did not say how many additional personnel and assets will be dedicated in the fight against illegal drugs.
The President’s order came on the heels of the recovery of more than 1,300 kilos of shabu in the waters off Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan in the past three weeks.
PDEA earlier said the shabu was dumped by Sam Gor, a five-drug triad alliance operating in the Asia-Pacific region, hoping they would be recovered by their local contacts.
The shabu was found by the fishermen and turned over to law enforcement agencies.
Gavan also ordered the intensification of PCG engagements with the fisherfolk association and coastal communities to address the drug problem.
“We recognize how important fishermen are in recovering sacks of suspected shabu floating in our waters,” said Gavan.
“Coast Guard units serve as the first stop of fisherfolk in reporting floating shabu discoveries for immediate coordination with concerned government agencies, toward the implementation of a whole-of-government approach in illegal drug eradication,” the PCG said in a statement.
Police seized almost P1 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs and firearms and arrested two persons in a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal last Wednesday.
Col. Felipe Maraggun, Rizal provincial police office (PPO) director, identified the suspects as alias Otto, 35, and Toytoy, 33, residents of Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. – With Christian Oineza
