Fishermen Become PDEA’s Eyes at Sea—But What They’re Finding in Quezon’s Waters Has Authorities Worried
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Fishermen in Quezon are being encouraged to become the government’s frontline partners in detecting possible illegal drug activity at sea, as authorities warn that drug syndicates may be using coastal waters to move or recover narcotics.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) made the call during an Empathy Dialogue with Fisherfolk of Lucena City held on Aug. 11 at the Lucena Convention Center.
PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez said fisherfolk need to understand how drug trafficking groups operate so they can recognize suspicious activity without putting themselves in danger.
According to PDEA, foreign drug syndicates have reportedly approached or used local fishermen to locate and retrieve illegal drugs deliberately left floating in the sea. Fishermen could be offered large sums of money, potentially drawing them into criminal activity or exposing them to exploitation.
FISHERMEN TOLD: REPORT SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES, DON’T HANDLE THEM ALONE
PDEA urged fishermen who encounter suspicious packages or suspected illegal drugs while at sea to immediately coordinate with authorities and surrender recovered items through proper procedures.
The agency emphasized that timely reporting can help prevent contraband from being moved farther inland or distributed to other areas.
The warning is particularly significant for Quezon, whose extensive coastline and surrounding waters have previously been the site of major drug recoveries.
PDEA said previous incidents involved large quantities of cocaine and shabu reportedly found floating in Tayabas Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Nerez also pointed to the seizure of more than 1.4 tons of illegal drugs in Zambales as another indication of the importance of coastal vigilance and inter-agency coordination.
QUEZON HAS SEEN MAJOR DRUG RECOVERIES AT SEA
Recent reporting provides additional context for PDEA’s renewed push to involve fishing communities.
In April 2026, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a Quezon fisherman turned over suspected illegal drugs worth ₱34.5 million, highlighting how local fishermen can become crucial sources of information when narcotics are discovered in coastal areas. The report also cited a long history of major drug-smuggling incidents involving Quezon’s coastline.
The Daily Tribune likewise reported in April that a floating shabu shipment estimated at ₱22 million was recovered in Quezon, prompting authorities to strengthen coastal monitoring.
The pattern is not limited to Quezon. In June, the Daily Tribune reported that PDEA in Cagayan was also enlisting fisherfolk as partners against sea-borne drug smuggling, describing coastal communities as potential force multipliers in maritime surveillance.
These developments show why fishermen—who spend long hours in areas that may be difficult for law-enforcement patrols to constantly monitor—can provide valuable information to authorities.
UP TO ₱2 MILLION IN REWARDS
PDEA said it provides rewards of up to ₱2 million, depending on the classification or grade of illegal drugs reported or surrendered.
However, authorities are also stressing safety.
Fishermen should not attempt to investigate suspicious packages themselves or confront suspected traffickers. Instead, they are being encouraged to immediately notify the appropriate authorities and allow trained personnel to secure and examine the items.
PDEA continues to coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Bureau of Investigation in monitoring coastal areas and responding to suspected drug-trafficking activities.
ABOUT 500 FISHERFOLK JOINED THE LUCENA DIALOGUE
The Lucena event was also designed to strengthen communication between government agencies and fishing communities.
Around 500 fisherfolk received rice and tokens during the activity, which was organized in partnership with the City Government of Lucena. The gathering also gave fishermen an opportunity to raise concerns and share their experiences with government representatives.
For authorities, the message is straightforward: coastal security cannot rely solely on patrol boats and law-enforcement personnel.
Every fisherman who knows what to watch for—and knows how to report it safely—can potentially help authorities stop illegal drugs before they reach communities.
And with reports of narcotics being discovered floating in Philippine waters, the next suspicious package spotted at sea could become more than just a fisherman’s unexpected find—it could be the clue that leads authorities to a much larger trafficking operation.