MANILA – No traces of illegal drugs were found in the ashes of narcotics destroyed during a high-profile thermal destruction event led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., authorities confirmed.

According to a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), all four ash samples tested negative for shabu, marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. The ashes were collected from separate burn batches at the Clean Leaf International Corp. facility in Capas, Tarlac, and were each subjected to chemical analysis to ensure accountability and scientific validation. The results were supported by three photos of the actual testing.

The destruction covered a total of PhP9.4 billion worth of illegal drugs, including the recent PhP8.87 billion “floating shabu” haul recovered by fishermen off the coast of northern Luzon. Authorities said the testing protocol served as a safeguard against drug recycling and emphasized transparency in the government’s anti-drug efforts.

On Wednesday, President Marcos witnessed the chemical testing of random samples from the 1,530.647 kilos of seized narcotics before the incineration.

The President has been pushing for a “balanced, humane, and evidence-based” approach to the anti-drug campaign to strengthen public trust. The multi-agency effort and involvement of local communities, particularly the fishermen who reported the floating drugs, were cited as crucial in the operation’s success.

The ashes will be disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations, marking the completion of the drug disposal process.