Zamboanga City — In a historic move marking a milestone in the country’s fight against illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 9 (PDEA RO9) led by Regional Director III Bryan B. Babang destroyed ₱1,116,042,487.23 worth of dangerous drugs on November 6, 2025. The event represents the largest drug destruction ever conducted in the Zamboanga Peninsula, surpassing last year’s record held in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.
The destruction, held at ZC E&L Corporation in Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City, was spearheaded by Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Secretary Oscar F. Valenzuela and PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez, along with officials from the PDEA National Office. The drugs were incinerated through thermal destruction — a method that adheres to strict environmental and safety standards.
Among the illegal substances destroyed were 164,006.7857 grams of shabu, 6,624.5362 grams of marijuana, and 4.0513 grams of ephedrine. These were confiscated in various operations and disposed of in compliance with court orders issued by Regional Trial Courts across Pagadian City, Molave, San Miguel, Iligan City, Isabela City, and Zamboanga City. The destruction was carried out in coordination with the Regional Forensic Unit 9, the forensic units of Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur, and other government agencies.
Significant portions of the seized drugs included 67 kilograms of shabu from the Police Regional Office 9 under PBGen Eleazar P. Matta and 89 kilograms from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group under PBGen Edwin A. Quilates. Both operations were conducted under the overall leadership of PLTGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez.
The event drew the presence of several high-ranking officials and stakeholders, including Zamboanga City Mayor Hon. Khymer Adan T. Olaso, Vice Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco, PBGen Matta, PBGen Quilates, Commodore Rejard V. Marfe of the Philippine Coast Guard, Col. Rommel Cabanayan of Task Force Zamboanga, RTC Branch 33 Judge Hon. Manuel M. Wee Sit IV, and other representatives from the judiciary, prosecution, and public service sectors. Their attendance underscored the government’s whole-of-nation approach in addressing the drug menace.
PDEA RO9 expressed gratitude to ZC E&L Corporation and its partner agencies for their support in making the activity successful. Director General Nerez commended the exemplary performance of PDEA RO9 personnel, emphasizing that their continued coordination with law enforcement partners strengthens the agency’s intelligence-driven operations across the country.
“This record-breaking destruction activity reaffirms our unwavering commitment to rid our communities of illegal drugs,” said Nerez. “PDEA will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a safer, drug-free Zamboanga Peninsula and a more secure nation.”
The destruction event serves as a powerful symbol of the government’s sustained and unified effort to permanently eliminate illegal drugs from circulation and uphold its promise of a drug-free Philippines.