BACOLOD City – Twenty-five fully grown and 71 newly planted marijuana plants valued at P19,200 were uprooted in Sitio Lower Natuyay, Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Feb. 14.
A suspect was also arrested – Benjie Clarion, 43, of Sitio Lower Natuyay.
A complaint for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) was being prepared against Clarion, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, information officer of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, regional police director, commended the San Carlos City police.
“Congratulations on your constant resolve and enthusiasm in our campaign against illegal drugs. Your output bespeaks of your commitment to service for the betterment of every community,” said Dongbo.
He also thanked the public “for providing us the information straight from your locality.”
“Let us continue working together to arrest those involved in illegal drug activities,” said Dongbo.
Marijuana has been illegal in the Philippines since 1972 by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 6425, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. It classified marijuana as a prohibited drug, and detailed out punishments for the importation, sale, manufacture, cultivation, possession, and use of the drug, as well as possession of any drug-related paraphernalia.
In 2002, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was signed, repealing RA 6425. It also enabled the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which handles the implementation and enforcement of policies and strategies made by the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Under the current law, the importation, sale, maintenance of a den, dive or resort, manufacture, use, and cultivation of marijuana and marijuana-related products shall be met with life imprisonment and a fine./PN
