MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday warned fishermen who discover illegal drug shipments off the country’s coastlines not to sell the same to drug groups or syndicates.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac issued the warning on Monday after 37 blocks of cocaine were recently found floating by a fisherman off the municipality of Cagdianao in the Dinagat Islands.
Another batch of cocaine was later brought washed ashore.
The floating cocaine blocks weighed a total of 88 kilograms.
READ: 37 suspected cocaine blocks recovered off Dinagat Islands
READ: Albayalde confirms drugs in Dinagat waters are cocaine
Instead of selling the illegal drugs to syndicates for quick profit, Banac advised fishermen to surrender the contraband to authorities.
“Lahat po ng mga kahinahinalang bloke ng cocaine or anumang droga na dumating sa inyong kaalaman ay dapat ho ipagbigay alam sa ating mga kapulisan,” he said.
(All suspicious blocks of cocaine or any drugs that you discovered should be reported to the police.)
“Kung kayo ay matutukso na sumama sa ganitong ilegal na gawain ay huwag niyo po ituloy dahil alam ninyo ang inyong pananagutan sa batas. Kayo po ay mahuhuli rin pagdating ng panahon at kayo po ay makukulong,” he said.
(If you are tempted to join this illegal activity, don’t do it. You will be held liable because eventually you will be arrested and jailed.)
Meanwhile, the PNP commended the fisherman who surrendered the blocks of cocaine to authorities for his “active participation and vigilance in making his community safe.” / gsg