South Cotabato, October 18, 2024 – A man was arrested following the seizure of a firearm and illegal drugs during a search warrant operation conducted by a joint police team in Barangay Libertad, Surallah, South Cotabato.
The suspect, identified as “Yaya,” a 40-year-old tricycle driver and resident of Block Daisy, Zone 6, was apprehended early in the morning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Conrado N. Jovero Jr., Chief of the Surallah Municipal Police Station, confirmed the arrest. The search warrant was executed at around 4:20 AM by a composite team from the Surallah Municipal Police Station (MPS), South Cotabato Provincial Intelligence Unit (SCPIU), Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 12 Tracker Team Charlie, Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 12, South Cotabato Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPDEU), and the 1st and 2nd South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Companies (SCPMFC)-SWAT teams.
Authorities seized a homemade single-shot caliber .45 pistol with four rounds of ammunition, as well as two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 0.20 grams. The estimated street value of the drugs is Php6,800.
The suspect now faces charges under Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to intensify its campaign against various criminal activities, urging the public to cooperate with law enforcement to maintain peace and order as part of the country’s mission for a “New Philippines.”
