Manila: Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez announced that the PNP will enhance its patrols in coastal areas to prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs into Philippine waters. This initiative follows the recovery of a floating bag containing suspected illegal drugs in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez has instructed the PNP Maritime Group and Police Regional Offices to increase community patrols, particularly in coastal regions, to avert similar incidents. He emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, stating, “I have instructed our police units to intensify patrols in coastal areas to prevent these drug shipments, since this is not the first time authorities have seized illegal drugs in our waters.”

The directive was issued after a coordinated effort by the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the PNP led to the recovery of a floating black duffel bag containing suspected illegal drugs near Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday.

Initial reports indicate that the bag contained 32 clear and black plastic packs with approximately 16 kilograms of suspected high-grade marijuana (kush), with an estimated value of PHP19.2 million. Nartatez highlighted the importance of close coordination between the PNP and PDEA in determining the source and possible connections among recent drug hauls.