The Philippine National Police (PNP) is working with the provincial governments of Zambales and Bataan to possibly grant incentives to local fishermen who turned over some P1.5-billion worth of narcotics to authorities.
PNP spokesperson and concurrent Central Luzon regional director Brigadier Gen. Jean Fajardo made the announcement on Wednesday following reports of the fisherfolks’ discovery.
The incident was reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) earlier this week, crediting the fishermen of Mariveles, Bataan for retrieving the illegal drugs they found floating near Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales.
Fajardo said providing financial incentives for this level of cooperation will encourage more local residents to assist law enforcement agencies and authorities in addressing the problem of illegal drugs.
“This will somehow motivate and inspire other people to help us in our fight against illegal drugs because, as I have said, this is the President’s order and we will continue to do this,” she said.
Fajardo said the drugs remains under the custody of PDEA and are scheduled to be destroyed.
She also encouraged other residents who have information on other floating illegal substances to come forward and cooperate with the authorities.
