Authorities destroyed illegal drugs and expired medicines worth more than P19 million at a thermal facility in Davao City on Monday, December 2, 2024.

These illegal drugs include 1,661 grams of shabu worth P11.3 million and 40,236 grams of marijuana worth P4.8 million from Davao region; and illegal drugs worth more than P3.4 million from SOCCSKSARGEN.

These illegal drugs were either seized, recovered, or surrendered during anti-illegal drug operations in Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN.

Authorities also destroyed expired medicines worth nearly P1 million.

“To guarantee that no confiscated seized and or surrendered illegal drugs are misused or recycled. Hence, it ensures that confiscated drugs cannot be used to plant evidence by fraudulent law enforcers that could destabilize judicial proceedings,” Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Davao (PDEA-11) Legal Prosecution Unit Chief, Atty. Noralyn Bernardino-Bañez, said.

According to a judge in Davao City, the court must conduct ocular inspection on the drugs seized 72 hours after a criminal case has been filed, based on the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165).

However, doing so remains a challenge because of the many cases raffled to every court.

“In RTC Davao City, of the so many cases filed, almost 85% of which are drugs cases,” Hon. Rowena Apao-Adlawan, an executive judge in Davao City, said.

On the other hand, PDEA has to destroy the illegal drugs within 24 hours after the inspection. However, PDEA usually destroys the illegal drugs after the court issues its decision or when the trial is over.

“It is needed to be identified during the trial giving the parties time to scrutinize the object evidence. Number 2, to save time and resources on the part of PDEA by pulling all drugs exhibit and conduct the burning in one setting,” Apao-Adlawan added.