MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will intensify its seaborne patrol operations to deter the entry of illegal drugs following the recovery of over P122.7 million worth of cocaine in the shorelines of Eastern Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao during the first week of March.In his directive, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant, ordered Coast Guard Districts to heighten monitoring of vessels possibly being used in transporting illegal drugs, intensify intel operations, expand coastal security patrols, and coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units to augment anti-illegal drug operations, especially in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines.Admiral Gavan also directed Coast Guard personnel to strengthen local fisherfolk networks within their areas of responsibility for a more robust monitoring system, facilitating the accurate reporting of suspicious or unauthorized activities at sea.On March 1, the PCG monitored the recovery of one kilo of suspected cocaine brick valued at P 5.3 million off the village of Bungtod in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.The recovered item was turned over to the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SDSPPO – PDEU) for further investigation.On March 4, another brick of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 1.08 kilos and with an estimated value of P5.7 million was recovered by two fishermen again near the same village.On March 8, PCG personnel assisted a certain Samuel Dalimpapas, a local fisherman, who found 20 bricks of suspected cocaine, each wrapped in two large plastic bags and enclosed in a fishnet, off Tangbo village in the town of Arteche, Eastern Samar. and weighing an estimated 25 kilos and valued at P106 million.On the same day, one brick of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 1.08 kilos and valued at P5.7 million, was recovered by a group of students along the shoreline of Bitaug village in the town of Burgos, Surigao del Norte.The following day, the PCG recorded another recovery of alleged cocaine along the shoreline of Valencia village in Lingig town, Surigao del Sur.
