MARAWI CITY (PIA) –The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region raised concerns over the growing threat of drug trafficking in the region, particularly due to the rise in methamphetamine production in the Golden Triangle.
Regional Director Gil Castro highlighted, during the 4th quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) on December 12, the risk of BARMM becoming a key transshipment point for methamphetamine produced in the Golden Triangle.
Castro explained that while the surge in methamphetamine production in the Golden Triangle is not primarily for domestic consumption in BARMM, the Philippines’ preference for methamphetamine hydrochloride makes the region vulnerable to the influx of these illicit drugs.
“The Golden Triangle is close to Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. With this increase in methamphetamine production, the island provinces are most likely to be affected. Based on the operational and tactical interrogation we conducted on the arrested persons here in Lanao del Sur in our operations, it is now being used as a transshipment point,” he stated.
To address this threat, Castro called for the strengthening of border security to prevent the entry of drugs from the Golden Triangle. He also emphasized the need for enhanced intelligence gathering and coordination between the security sector in Lanao del Sur and BARMM to combat drug trafficking, terrorism, and private armed groups, which often operate in tandem.
Castro also stressed the importance of community-level interventions, particularly in the clearance of barangays and municipalities from drug influence. Castro cited data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), showing that drug-cleared municipalities record the lowest crime rates.
At the same meeting, PDEA-BARMM and the provincial government also recognized the high-performing Anti-Drug Abuse Councils across the province for 2023. These include the local government units of Amai Manabilang, Kapatagan, Pagayawan, Taraka, Buadipuso-Buntong, Kapai, Madamba, Masiu Piagapo, Marantao, Bacolod Kalawi, Pualas, Lumba Bayabao, and Tamparan for their outstanding efforts in addressing the drug problem within their respective areas. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
