BENGUET — The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that more than P69 million worth of marijuana was destroyed in a week-long series of operations in Benguet, marking one of the largest eradication campaigns in the Cordillera region this year.

From March 16 to 22, 2026, joint operatives carried out 24 marijuana eradication operations across the province. Authorities confiscated and destroyed 72,900 fully grown marijuana plants, 420 seedlings, and over 454 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves, stalks, and fruiting tops, with an estimated street value of P69.172 million.

The seized contraband was immediately burned on-site to prevent it from being recycled into the illegal drug trade. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized the police force’s commitment to dismantling marijuana plantations in the Cordillera, which has long been identified as a major source of cannabis cultivation in the country. “Hindi natin titigilan ang laban kontra ilegal na droga. Tuloy-tuloy ang ating kampanya,” Nartatez said, stressing that the crackdown will continue against both small growers and larger networks behind the operations.

The Cordillera Administrative Region, particularly Benguet, has historically been a hotspot for marijuana cultivation due to its mountainous terrain and climate. Authorities have intensified their monitoring and eradication efforts in recent years, aiming to cut off supply chains before the drugs reach urban centers.

The PNP reiterated that its anti-drug campaign is not only focused on enforcement but also on preventing the spread of illegal substances nationwide. Officials noted that the destruction of these plantations is part of a broader strategy to weaken the infrastructure of the illegal drug trade and protect communities from its harmful effects.

This latest operation underscores the government’s continuing war against illegal drugs, with Benguet remaining a focal point of eradication efforts. The PNP vowed to sustain its vigilance and expand its reach to ensure that marijuana cultivation in the region is permanently curtailed.