COTABATO CITY – In a series of intensified anti-drug operations, law enforcement authorities in Cotabato City arrested a total of seven suspects—including high-value individuals (HVIs)—in three separate buy-bust operations conducted from July 5 to July 7, 2025.
The first operation took place at around 10:20 PM on July 5 in Purok Sulaiman, Barangay Rosary Heights 3, where operatives of the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (CPDEU), led by PCPT Jonathan L. Marciano and under the supervision of City Director PCOL Jibin M. Bongcayao, apprehended alias “Bobby”, 29, a jobless resident of the area. He was tagged as a high-value target and was caught selling suspected illegal drugs to an undercover operative.
Two days later, at approximately 1:40 PM on July 7, a joint buy-bust operation by CPDEU, Police Stations 1 and 2, and PDEA-BARMM in Purok Shariff, Barangay Rosary Heights 10 led to the arrest of two construction workers identified as alias “Jay”, 25, and alias “Toto”, 55. Both are residents of the same barangay and were caught in the act of selling prohibited substances.
Later that same afternoon, at around 3:10 PM, another buy-bust operation was carried out in Barangay Bagua 3 by Police Station 4’s Special Drug Enforcement Team (SDET), in collaboration with CPDEU and PDEA-BARMM. This led to the arrest of three more individuals:
- A 38-year-old, single, jobless male from Purok 7,
- A 34-year-old high-value individual (HVI), single, construction worker from Purok 4,
- And alias “Ryan”, 29, married, a payong-payong driver from Purok 3.
All suspects are now under police custody and are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police authorities emphasized that the coordinated series of operations demonstrate their unwavering commitment to curbing illegal drug activities in the city. They also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities that may help in the fight against illegal drugs.