The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) posted a strong showing in the country’s war on drugs during the first half of 2025, arresting more than 26,000 individuals and seizing over ₱30 billion worth of illegal drugs.
From January 1 to June 30, PDEA, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, carried out a total of 19,765 anti-drug operations, including 472 high-impact raids. These led to the arrest of 26,051 drug personalities nationwide.
Among those arrested were 1,551 high-value targets. This group included 39 elected officials, six uniformed personnel, 73 government employees, 27 foreign nationals, five leaders of drug syndicates, 68 regional-listed suspects, 96 target-listed personalities, 231 drug den maintainers, 15 known resurgents, 835 from high-impact operations, and 156 others identified as priority targets.
PDEA reported a sharp rise in the total value of confiscated drugs during the period, with seizures totaling ₱30.29 billion — a more than 100 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Leading the list was crystal meth or shabu, with more than 4.23 tons confiscated, valued at ₱29.26 billion.
The agency also disrupted local drug production by dismantling three clandestine laboratories and shutting down 222 drug dens across various parts of the country.
To ensure justice is served, PDEA filed 24,869 drug-related cases during the first six months of the year. Of the 14,671 cases already resolved in court, 10,665 ended in conviction, representing a conviction rate of nearly 73 percent. Meanwhile, 2,161 cases ended in acquittal and 1,845 were dismissed. Thousands of other cases remain pending or have been provisionally dismissed.
“PDEA continues to deliver significant results as it stands at the forefront of the national anti-drug campaign,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez. “These accomplishments are the result of effective inter-agency coordination and the active participation of local communities.”
