CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Justice (DOJ) Regional Prosecution Office
10 secured 1,244 convictions in drug cases and filed 1,580 informations in court across Northern
Mindanao from January to September 2026.

Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Barola-Uy reported the figures during the third-quarter meeting of
the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs Coordinating Group 10 (RICG-10)
on Oct. 13 at the Department of Health Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City.
She also reported that more than 11,352 drug cases remained pending as of the third quarter.
Cagayan de Oro City had the highest number of pending drug cases, followed by Bukidnon and
Iligan City, according to the regional prosecution office.
“We have 10 dismissals due to the non-appearance of our witnesses, so this is beyond the control
of the prosecution,” Barola-Uy said.
Meanwhile, 948 drug cases were terminated through plea bargaining during the first nine months
of the year. Cagayan de Oro City accounted for 205 cases, followed by Bukidnon with 179 and
Lanao del Norte with 137.
Barola-Uy said cases initially filed for violations involving the sale or transport of dangerous
drugs under Section 5 and possession under Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were later resolved through plea bargaining under
Section 12.
The regional prosecution office also recorded 72 appeals and two archived cases during the
period.
RICG-10 Chairperson and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 Assistant Regional
Director Mary Leslie Sharon D. Maquilang said that inter-agency coordination is crucial in
addressing illegal drugs.
“This gathering reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthen inter-agency coordination,
promote information sharing, and take decisive action against illegal drugs,” Maquilang said.

She urged participating agencies to translate their discussions into concrete measures and
strengthen partnerships to protect communities across Northern Mindanao. (SAYU/PIA-10)