The Philippine National Police (PNP) has once again delivered a decisive victory in its campaign against illegal drugs. Under the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting PNP Chief, police operatives successfully uprooted and destroyed an estimated Php28,920,000 worth of fully grown marijuana plants in a series of intensified operations conducted in the rugged mountains of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and the adjacent areas of Kibungan, Benguet. This accomplishment resulted from a sweeping five-day eradication initiative that targeted large-scale cultivation sites in remote upland communities.
The initial phase of operations began on November 19, 2025, when joint operatives from the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Regional Office 1 (PDEA-RO1) launched anti-drug operations in Barangay Licungan, Sugpon. The Ilocos Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (ISPDEU) discovered seven marijuana plantations spanning 2,060 square meters, uprooting and destroying 11,050 fully grown plants and 250 seedlings valued at Php2,220,000.
The crackdown in Barangay Licungan was reinforced by regional and local police units on November 20–21, where six more plantations covering 4,506 square meters were discovered. Approximately 22,000 fully grown marijuana plants and 2,900 seedlings were destroyed, with an estimated market value of Php4,516,000.
Momentum continued in Sitio Sawangan, Barangay Danac where personnel from the Sugpon Municipal Police Station conducted a follow-up operation and discovered three additional plantation areas spanning 1,900 square meters, resulting in the destruction of 13,400 fully grown marijuana stalks amounting to an estimated value of Php2,680,000.
The eradication was further intensified from November 21–22 through operations led by the 2nd Ilocos Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, which resulted in the discovery of seven new plantation sites in Barangay Danac. Covering 3,450 square meters, these sites contained 16,100 fully grown plants and 600 seedlings valued at Php3,244,000.
The largest seizure was recorded during the sixth eradication operation from November 22–23, conducted by personnel from Police Regional Office 1 in coordination with PDEA-RO1 along the border of Barangay Licungan in Sugpon and Barangay Tacadang in Kibungan, Benguet. Authorities discovered seven plantations covering 13,400 square meters. A remarkable 81,300 fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted and burned, with an estimated total market value of Php16,260,000. The ISPDEU led the operation, supported by regional, municipal, and PDEA operatives who ensured proper coordination and operational efficiency.
All recovered marijuana plants from the five-day operation were properly documented and destroyed on-site in accordance with established drug eradication protocols. These accomplishments directly contribute to the PNP Focused Agenda on Enhanced Managing Police Operations through strengthened intelligence capabilities and coordinated field responses. Through precise surveillance and unified operational deployment, PNP successfully dismantled multiple illegal cultivation sites, effectively degrading the supply chain of harmful substances.
PLtGen Nartatez underscored the significance of the achievement, stating: “These eradication operations in Ilocos Sur deliver a strong message: PNP will continue to pursue and dismantle illegal drug cultivation wherever it is found. Through effective coordination and steadfast commitment, our units and partners are safeguarding our communities, protecting our youth, and ensuring that criminal networks are denied the opportunity to thrive.”
As the police force intensifies its anti-illegal drug operations, PNP assures the public of its continued dedication to the vision, “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman” —a commitment grounded in reliable service delivery, integrity, and actions strongly felt by the Filipino people they have sworn to serve and protect.
