Maitum, Sarangani Province — April 25, 2025 —
Authorities in Sarangani scored a significant breakthrough in their ongoing anti-criminality campaign following a successful search operation in Barangay Mindupok, Maitum, that led to the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms, and explosive materials.
Elements of the Maitum Municipal Police Station (MPS), backed by the Sarangani Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit (SPPO-PIU), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), SAR PECU Maitum Base, 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC), and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB 12), implemented a search warrant against a known High-Value Individual (HVI 2024) identified only by the alias “Orig.”
The search warrant, issued by the Executive Judge of RTC Branch 49 in Alabel, Sarangani Province, was served at a residence in Purok Tunadatu, Barangay Mindupok. Although the target was not present at the time, police operatives, witnessed by a barangay official, a media representative, and several neighbors, proceeded with the search in accordance with legal procedures.
Seized during the operation were five heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 1.005 grams with an estimated street value of Php 6,834.00. Also recovered were drug paraphernalia, including an orange lighter, two rolled pieces of aluminum foil, two glass tooters, a digital weighing scale, three live rounds of ammunition, and one live hand grenade.
All confiscated items were brought to the Maitum MPS for proper documentation and processing. The hand grenade was promptly turned over to SAR PECU specialists for safe handling.
Police are preparing charges against the at-large suspect for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), Republic Act 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives), and Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
The Sarangani Police Provincial Office reaffirmed its commitment to aggressively pursue its campaign against illegal drugs, unlicensed firearms, and explosives, vowing to continue efforts to ensure the safety and security of local communities.