Photo credit: PCO

In an unexpected turn of events, Malacañang became the scene of a drug bust on Thursday, October 24, as a suspected pusher was nabbed within the palace complex. The successful operation, led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with assistance from the Presidential Security Group (PSG), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and local police, resulted in the seizure of drug-related paraphernalia at San Miguel, Manila.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin expressed the administration's stance in a statement, commending the collaborative efforts of the authorities. "We commend the NBI, with the support of the PSG, PDEA, and local police, for the apprehension of a suspected pusher of illegal drugs," he shared. The operation, carried out right within the heart of the nation's seat of power, serves as a stark reminder that illegal activities have no place in the country, let alone the premises of the government.

Bersamin urged law enforcement agencies not to let up in the pursuit of justice, specifically targeting the accomplices who remain at large. "We call on law enforcement to relentlessly pursue the capture of his accomplices," he added, appealing for the public’s cooperation in the ongoing investigation.

The Palace's message was clear: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration are not backing down in their fight against illegal drugs. "This successful operation underscores the unyielding resolve…towards eradicating the plague of illegal drugs in our country," Bersamin declared.

He made it clear that nowhere in the Philippines, "no matter how remote or concealed," would be allowed to serve as a hideout for those involved in the illegal drug trade. "The full, unforgiving weight of the law will always descend upon them," he asserted.