Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, has ordered Coast Guard Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations to intensify anti-illegal drug operations at sea.

This occurred following the latest directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. for the PCG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen security measures at all ports, waterways, and other entry points within the Philippine archipelagic waters to avert the entrance of illegal drugs.

The presidential guidance also included the swift destruction of intercepted contrabands, with full transparency, to ensure that these would not reach Filipino homes.

Admiral Gavan also instructed PCG units to expand its community engagement initiatives with fisherfolk associations and coastal communities in addressing the issue of illegal drugs through collaborative efforts.

“We recognize how important fishermen are in recovering sacks of suspected shabu floating in our waters. With this recent directive, we commit to broadening our maritime security and safety patrols by deploying more personnel and floating assets that perform 24/7 operations, especially within Northwestern and Northeastern Luzon regions,” the Coast Guard Commandant expressed.

In June 2025, joint authorities seized several billion-peso-worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as shabu in the vicinity waters of Bataan, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Sur, among others.

Coast Guard units serve as the first stop of fisherfolk in reporting floating shabu discoveries for immediate coordination with concerned government agencies, toward the implementation of whole-of-government approach in illegal drug eradication.