Philippines Seizes P11.5B in Drugs, Arrests Over 50,000 in 8 Months

MANILA, Philippines—Police arrested 50,766 individuals and seized an estimated P11.51 billion worth of illegal drugs nationwide during the first eight months of the year. The Philippine National Police (PNP), in a statement on Tuesday, said its units carried out 43,383 anti-drug operations from January to August 2026. In August alone, the PNP arrested 6,044 individuals and recovered an estimated P599.89 million worth of illegal drugs. Police data showed that the PNP confiscated approximately 1.36 million grams of suspected “shabu” or crystal meth. The anti-drug operations last month also resulted in the confiscation of more than 3.61 million grams of dried marijuana leaves and over 8.9 million marijuana plants. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the results demonstrate the importance of sustained police presence and coordinated action. “We will not let up in addressing the illegal drug problem, but our approach will remain clear: effective enforcement, proper procedure, and accountability,” said Nartatez. “It is our duty to protect the public, and we will do this with discipline and respect to the law,” added Nartatez. Last month, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos mandated all drug-concerned agencies to regularly report to the House of Representatives. The agencies include the PNP, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice and the Bureau of Customs. Santos said this will allow Congress to have greater oversight on the government’s anti-drug campaign under his watch as the new chairperson of the committee on dangerous drugs. (with a report from Sheridan Delfino) /gsg