MANILA, Philippines: Philippines Seizes Record 1.8 Tonnes of Crystal Meth, President Marcos Emphasizes Non-Violent Approach
President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines announced on Tuesday the seizure of a staggering 1.8 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, lauding the bust as a record and underscoring the importance of a non-violent approach in the country’s drug war.
The illegal drugs, valued at over $230 million, were discovered on Monday during a search of a van in Batangas province, south of Manila, leading to the arrest of the driver.
President Marcos personally inspected the drug haul on Tuesday, describing it as the “biggest shipment of shabu ever caught” in the Philippines. “Shabu” refers to cheap and highly addictive crystal meth locally.
Highlighting the significance of the operation, Marcos emphasized that no casualties or injuries occurred during the bust. “We did the operation carefully. That’s the correct approach, for me, that should be the approach in the drug war,” Marcos told reporters.
Authorities are currently tracing the source of the seized drugs, with indications that they were not produced locally.
The drug seizure comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the country’s drug war, which saw thousands of deaths during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, sparking international investigations into alleged human rights violations.
Despite continuing the drug war, Marcos has advocated for a shift towards prevention and rehabilitation efforts. Since assuming power in June 2022, more than 600 individuals have been killed in drug-related incidents, according to figures compiled by Dahas, a University of the Philippines-backed research project.
Reacting to the drug bust, Human Rights Watch senior researcher Carlos Conde emphasized that targeting narcotics can be achieved without violence if authorities adhere to due process. Conde called on the Marcos administration to declare an end to the violent drug war and overturn Duterte’s directives for the aggressive crackdown.
“It’s time for Mr. Marcos to walk the talk on drug policy reform,” Conde urged.
