Authorities in Central Visayas incinerated a massive haul of illegal narcotics valued at nearly half a billion pesos during a public destruction ceremony in Cebu City on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Massive Drug Destruction Event
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 7 (PDEA 7), in close coordination with the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7), carried out the court-authorized destruction of dangerous drugs at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes on Junquera Street. The event, which began around 10 a.m., saw the elimination of shabu, marijuana, and expired regulated drugs with a total estimated street value of P468.1 million.
High-ranking officials presided over the event to ensure transparency. Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Secretary Oscar Valenzuela and PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez were present to lead the proceedings. Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, the chief of PRO 7, also stood as a witness, alongside representatives from the local governments of Cebu and Bohol, and members of the judiciary whose courts had finalized the related drug cases.
Government's Firm Stance Against Narcotics
In his remarks, Secretary Valenzuela commended PDEA 7 for holding the destruction publicly, a move that dispels any suspicion that seized drugs could be recycled back into the streets. He emphasized the severe threat illegal substances pose to the nation.
"Drugs pose a threat to the physical, mental, and overall wellbeing of Filipinos," Valenzuela stated. He reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to addressing the drug problem through inter-agency and local government collaboration.
The destruction on December 17 marks a significant contribution to the year's total. In 2025 alone, PDEA and the Philippine National Police have destroyed illegal drugs worth a staggering P1.3 billion. Previous destruction events occurred on February 13 (P284.9 million) and June 5.
Rewarding Citizen Cooperation
Beyond the destruction, the event highlighted the crucial role of citizen informants in the anti-drug campaign. The DDB awarded four informants, referred to as "Private Eyes," with a total cash reward of P775,000 for their help in seizing large quantities of illegal drugs. One informant, using the codename "Loloy 6," received nearly P300,000.
"The Dangerous Drugs Board salutes these informants for their invaluable help," Valenzuela said, underscoring the DDB's aim to curb the drug trade with public support. He stressed that every kilogram destroyed translates to lives and families saved, as the drugs will never reach communities.
Local officials also voiced strong support. Cebu City Councilor Paul Labra II pledged the Cebu City Government's full backing to the police and PDEA 7 under Mayor Nestor Archival's leadership. Their shared goal is to dismantle the illegal drug supply chain and ultimately declare Cebu City drug-free.
