LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The 122nd Police Service Anniversary celebration held at Camp Major Bado Dangwa on October 19, 2023 took on a symbolic and significant dimension as the Chief of the Philippine National Police, PGEN Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr. led the ceremonial destruction and burning of marijuana plants, emphasizing the relentless commitment of law enforcement agencies in the region to combat the drug trade.
PGEN Acorda, Jr. was joined by prominent figures, including PBGEN David K. Peredo, Jr., the Regional Director of PRO Cordillera; PMGEN Jon A. Arnaldo, the Commander of Area Police Command-Northern Luzon; BGEN Danilo D. Benavidez, the Assistant Division Commander, 5th ID, Philippine Army; Commodore Roger P. Viduya, PN, the Assistant Superintendent, PMA; and, Director Julius M. Paderes of PDEA-Cordillera.
As they held torches, the group simultaneously set fire to 5 kilograms of marijuana bricks and 300 marijuana stalks, symbolizing the ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal marijuana cultivation in the Cordillera region.
According to available data, from April 2022 to March 2023, a total of 185 marijuana eradication operations were conducted in the region.
These operations resulted in the discovery of 2.39 million pieces of fully grown marijuana plants, 20,000 pieces of marijuana seedlings, 712 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves/stalks/fruiting tops, and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana seeds.
The estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of the confiscated contraband reached Php 565,143,700.00.
Moreover, from April 2023 to the present, the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO), under the leadership of PCOL Damian Olsim, Provincial Director, conducted a total of 129 marijuana eradication operations within the province.
These operations covered more or less 18,938 square meters of land area and resulted in the destruction of 117,784 fully grown marijuana plants, 42,150 marijuana seedlings, and 1,154,000 grams of dried marijuana leaves and stalks, amounting to a total SDP of Php 63,722,800.00.
These accomplishments stand as a testament to the continuous and unwavering campaign against illegal drugs spearheaded by PRO Cordillera, under the leadership of PBGEN Peredo, Jr.
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