BANTAY, July 23 -- Authorities continue to intensify their anti-illegal drug operations in Ilocos Sur, resulting in the discovery and destruction of marijuana plants with an estimated value of PHP4.6 million during the latest eradication campaign.

Colonel Agosto Asuncion, director of the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO), confirmed this on Thursday following the discovery of two marijuana plantations covering an area of 2,000 square meters with 23,000 fully grown marijuana plants in a mountainous area of Barangay Licungan, Sugpon town.

"Once again, we have demonstrated that illegal marijuana cultivation has no place in the province," said Asuncion in a statement as he lauded the operating personnel for their firm commitment to...