P186 million of marijuana destroyed on the Ilocos Sur–Benguet boundary
From 16 to 21 January 2026 PDEA Region 1 and Philippine National Police teams uprooted and burned marijuana across about 106,500 square metres near Licungan, Sugpon, and the disputed boundary with Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet, destroying 628,295 mature plants, 211,795 seedlings and 135 kg of fruiting tops that authorities valued at P186.4 million. No one was arrested.
🇵🇭 Licungan, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur and Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet · Philippines
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 1 and police units
destroyed marijuana valued at P186.4 million during a six-day eradication drive
from 16 to 21 January 2026 in remote areas on the Ilocos Sur–Benguet boundary.[1][2]
The Daily Tribune and GMA Regional TV said teams focused on contested land
between Barangay Licungan in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and Barangay Tacadang in
Kibungan, Benguet, including slopes on Mount Boa and Mount Leteban.[1][2]PDEA regional director Benjamin Gaspi said composite teams dismantled 144
plantation sites spread across about 106,500 square metres.[1]
Authorities reported 628,295 fully grown plants worth P125.6 million, 211,795
seedlings worth P44.47 million and 135 kilograms of fruiting tops worth P16.32
million, all burned on site because of the terrain.[1][2]PDEA listed support
from provincial offices across Region 1, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group and
Sugpon police, among others.[1]No arrests were reported.[1][2]
The Tribune published a PDEA Region 1 photograph from the operation.[1]
Photos and video
Joint PDEA and police teams during the January eradication near the Ilocos Sur–Benguet boundary.Photo details
Police confiscated 2,230 fully grown marijuana plants from three plantation sites in Kapangan, Benguet, which police valued at P446,000. The eradication was carried out separately by provincial operating units with no plantation arrests named.
Cordillera police destroyed 548,130 marijuana plants and 9,000 seedlings in 14 operations from 25 October to 1 November 2026, arresting six drug suspects. A parallel manhunt arrested 28 other fugitives, bringing the week's total reported arrests to 34.
Police destroyed three marijuana plantations in Kapangan and Kibungan, Benguet, on 30 October 2026, seizing 1,150 mature plants and 1,000 seedlings. Police valued the plants at P270,000 and burned them on site while seeking those responsible.
Kalinga police uprooted and burned 544,000 fully grown marijuana plants across seven sites in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, on 27 October 2026, an operation the provincial office valued at about ₱108.8 million. No cultivators were arrested.
