TOG2 facilitates 10-day COPLAN “Highlander” in Kalinga, operatives uproot 861M worth of Marijuana
SAN MATEO, Isabela – The Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG2) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Cauayan City, Isabela headed by its Group Commander Col. Glenn S. Piquero successfully discharged an aerial reconnaissance mission during the implementation of Case Operational Plan (COPLAN) “Highlander” at Mt. Chumanchil, Tinglayan, Kalinga spearheaded by operatives of Special Operations Unit of Cordillera and Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group. The operation started on April 28 and ended on May 7, 2024. This led to the destruction and uprooting of 1,575 kgs of dried marijuana with rooting tops and 3,349,500 fully grown marijuana planted in an almost 10-hectare land located at the mountain top. It has a Standard Drug Price of Php 861,900,00.00 believed to be the largest marijuana eradication in Philippine history.
The aerial reconnaissance was initially conducted on Mar. 21-22 to confirm the presence of marijuana plantations in the area utilizing the Black Hawk and Huey II helicopters. On Apr. 30, 40 personnel of the joint operatives with the assorted supplies and equipment for the 10-day mission were ferried to the target area. Also, an eight-man team from PAF composed of TOG2 and the 710th Special Operations Wing acted as airfield controller and aircraft security at the landing zone and advance command post. During the culmination of the operation on May 7, the Black Hawk and Huey II facilitated the air operations particularly the insertion of 18 personnel composed of senior officers from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and media personalities for the ceremonial Uprooting and Burning of the fully grown marijuana and the extrication of 45 personnel and the equipment used during the operation.
Col. Piquero in an exclusive interview by FNS said that it takes a few days and would require a rigid hiking to reach the plantation. This led to their participation in the operation.
“The equipment, food, and water sustainment for the 10-day operation can only be possible via air insertion,” Piquero added.
The pilots of the Black Hawk were Maj. Jeffrey N. Jayoma and 1Lt. Blaine Joseph D. Langub with the crews SSg. Randy R. Garcia and Sgt. Lyle L Masangkay. For Huey II, the pilots were Maj. Neil Jasper P. Layug and 2Lt. John Aaron M. Bernardo while the crews were Arnel B. Gargar, Sgt. John Cristopher C. Golfo, A1C Francis Edwin A. Vergara and A1C June Quiven D. Cabello. # Mae Barangan // FNS
