PDEA DESTROYS P 21.5 MILLION WORTH OF CHEMICALS

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) used for manufacturing illegal drugs worth Php 21.5 million on December 15, 2011, at the Green Planet Management, Inc. (GPMI), a duly accredited destruction and treatment facility located in Punturin, Valenzuela City.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. said that a total of 23, 209.40 liters of liquid chemicals (composed of toluene, methyl ethyl ketone and hydrochloric acid) and 6,274 kilograms of solid chemicals (composed of iodine, activated carbon, sodium hydroxide, and red phosphorus) were destroyed through treatment method.

“Hydrochloric acid and other acidic chemicals are treated with water and then neutralized with sodium hydroxide and the end product will be water and sodium chloride. On the other hand, other chemicals are treated with sludge, like oil waste, which are placed in a mixer, then finally they are mixed in compounds to make hollow-blocks,” Gutierrez said, explaining the treatment process.

The activity was made in compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 series of 2002 governing the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs, chemicals and laboratory equipment.

“The public can rest assured that PDEA is taking all diligent measures to ensure that dangerous drugs and chemicals confiscated in all drug law enforcement operations are properly accounted for and destroyed in accordance with the law,” Gutierrez said.

He added that this year alone, PDEA has facilitated four destruction ceremonies, two for dangerous drugs (July 22 and November 15, 2011 ) and two for CPECs (January 14 and December 15, 2011). Destroyed dangerous drugs and CPECs for CY2011 amounted to P591million.

Representatives from the Department of Justice, Public Attorney’s Office, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), barangay officials of Punturin, Valenzuela and media partners were present to witness the destruction. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency