Ilocos sur: Authorities seized and destroyed marijuana plants valued at approximately PHP48.9 million in a remote mountainous area of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and in Kibungan, Benguet later this month. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office I information officer Mariepe de Guzman confirmed the operations on Friday, following a series of coordinated efforts conducted from Jan. 27 to 30, 2026, with the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office and local police units.

According to Philippines News Agency, these operations resulted in the large-scale destruction of marijuana plantations in the mountainous areas of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and the disputed boundary with Kibungan, Benguet. De Guzman stated that the first operation, conducted from Jan. 27 to 28 in Barangay Licungan, Sugpon, led to the discovery and destruction of about 46,750 fully grown marijuana plants cultivated across multiple plantation sites covering around 10,450 square meters.

From Jan. 28 to 29, more marijuana plants were discovered within the disputed boundary of Barangay Licungan in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and Barangay Tacadang in Kibungan, Benguet. The area covers rugged terrain of around 15,400 square meters, planted with fully-grown marijuana plants, with an estimated value of PHP12.97 million.

A third operation from Jan. 29 to 30 resulted in the destruction of 126,900 fully grown marijuana plants and about 10 kg of dried marijuana across 28,950 square meters, with an estimated value of PHP26.58 million. PDEA Regional Director, lawyer Benjamin Gaspi, commended the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies, citing their role in preventing illegal drugs from reaching communities, especially the youth.