The Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPO) reported higher drug seizures in March 2026, even as the number of arrested suspects declined compared to the previous month.
Police data showed that authorities confiscated 23.87 grams of illegal drugs valued at ₱135,480 in March, a sharp increase from February’s 13.19 grams of shabu and 24.07 grams of marijuana with a combined value of ₱72,000.
Despite the larger volume of drugs seized, arrests dropped to 57 in March from 74 recorded in February.
The PPO also reported the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes worth ₱417,900 in three separate operations, most of which were conducted in southern Palawan. This was slightly lower than the ₱466,150 worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in February.
In the same February operations, authorities also recovered 7,505.52 board feet of illegal logs valued at ₱381,388, although no similar timber seizures were reported in March.
Police said all confiscated items have undergone proper inventory and are now under PPO custody.
The arrested individuals were subjected to inquest proceedings, with some cases already filed before local courts, the PPO added.
