By Freddie G .Lazaro

VIGAN CITY (14 November) -- Police operatives uprooted an estimated P98 million worth of marijuana plants along the tri-boundaries of Sugpan, Ilocos Sur; Sitio Tubaday, Sudipen, La Union; and Kibungan Benguet during a three-day operations conducted was learned here.

Last Monday, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Ilocos police regional director, led the ceremonial burning of the 2,500 fully grown uprooted marijuana at the police regional office 1 in San Fernando City, La Union and was witnessed by ranking police officials, politicians and members of the local media in the region.

"The rest of the plants were burned on the site with the presence of barangay officials as our policemen were not able to carry the thousands pieces of fully grown marijuana plants," he said.

Bataoil said that the presence of scattered marijuana plantations, with a total area of one hectare, in the said places was reported by their civilian assets.

"After validating the intelligence report, our policemen from the regional mobile group, the regional anti-illegal drugs special operation task force and other support groups from my command were jumped-off along the mountainous areas of Santol town in La Union last Wednesday and returned Friday from a 3 days and 2 nights operations," he said.

Bataoil further said that "there were reports received that the plantation base of the New People's Army operating in the Ilocos Cordillera Region" and are being visited occasionally.