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COTABATO CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has seized more than P143 million worth of meth since January this year.
On Thursday, Director Gil Cesario Castro of PDEA-BARMM, said that to date, over 22 kilos of suspected shabu were confiscated in 519 anti-drug operations across the region.
At least 62 drug personalities were arrested in various operations in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and in the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan.
“This is the biggest accomplishment of PDEA-BARMM since the autonomous government was set up,” Castro said in his speech during the launching of the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) program at the Bangsamoro Government Center here.
Castro said the PDEA has listed 57 personalities responsible for the proliferation, distribution and sale of shabu in the region that they need to pursue.
READ: Shabu worth P3.4M seized from Cotabato City suspect
He said these bigtime drug personalities were identified with the help of the the Bangsamoro Anti-Illegal Drug Task Group.
“We will not rest on our laurels but we will be relentless, decisive and determined to bring them behind bars,” Castro said.
“Our campaign will not end in anti-drug buy-bust operations, but we will run after druglords with the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council,” he added.
The biggest drug haul was seized by PDEA agents and other law enforcers in Lanao del Sur where P34 million worth of shabu was confiscated on April 8.
It was followed by the seizure of P13.6 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust in Indanan, Sulu, and in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur on May 1.
Anti-narcotics operatives are seriously looking into the possibility that these illegal drugs and the funds raised from the sale of these will find their way into the hands of politicians preparing for next year’s election in the Bangsamoro region.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim was hopeful the launching of BIDA program would help create a safer region for every Bangsamoro.
“This launching marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to create a safer, healthier Bangsamoro. Through the BIDA program, we are empowering our communities to reject drugs and embrace positive change,” Ebrahim said in a statement read by BARMM Senior Minister Abunawas “Von Al-Haq” Maslamama.
Sheikh Montasir Paki of Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, the main Islamic authority in BARMM, stressed that the use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited and it is “haram” (forbidden) in Islam.
The BIDA Program is a comprehensive anti-drug initiative aimed at promoting public health and community well-being through education, prevention, and rehabilitation.
It seeks to empower communities to reject drug use and to support individuals and families affected by drug abuse.
BARMM Interior Minister Elijah Dumama Alba said the program emphasizes a balanced and humane approach, combining law enforcement with community-based interventions and support systems.