Manila, Oct. 22 -- Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez on Wednesday said the PNP will be beefing up its patrols in coastal areas to prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs into Philippine waters following the recovery of a floating bag containing suspected illegal drugs in the West Philippine Sea.

In line with this, Nartatez directed the PNP Maritime Group and Police Regional Offices to heighten community patrols, particularly in coastal areas, to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

"I have instructed our police units to intensify patrols in coastal areas to prevent these drug shipments, since this is not the first time authorities have seized illegal drugs in our waters," he added.

The di...