KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — In a span of just two days, July 14 to 15, 2025, the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO), under the leadership of Provincial Director PCOL Samuel T. Cadungon, carried out multiple successful anti-crime operations across the province, resulting in the arrest of wanted persons, seizure of illegal drugs and firearms, and recovery of stolen property.
WANTED PERSON NABBED IN POLOMOLOK
At around 12:10 PM on July 14, Polomolok Municipal Police Station (MPS) apprehended a 39-year-old resident, alias “Totoy,” by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by Republic Act 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives). The arrest came after a National Police Clearance verification flagged him. The court has recommended no bail, and the suspect is now under police custody.
THEFT REPORTED IN BANGA MUNICIPAL COMPOUND
At about 1:50 PM of the same day, three employees of the Barangay Affairs Unit in Banga reported that their bags were stolen while they were attending the flag-raising ceremony. Items stolen included cash, mobile phones, wallets, IDs, and personal belongings. Police are conducting a follow-up investigation to identify the suspect and recover the stolen property.
ILLEGAL LUMBER SEIZED IN T’BOLI
Meanwhile, an anti-illegal logging operation led by PLT Gilda Monton Forro of the T’boli MPS, in collaboration with DENR and local government units, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 183 board feet of illegally sawn lumber valued at around Php 14,666.40. The confiscated wood is currently under the custody of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) for proper turnover to DENR.
DRUG BUSTS IN POLOMOLOK AND KORONADAL
In Polomolok, at about 5:40 PM, a buy-bust operation conducted by the local police, South Cotabato Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPDEU), South Cotabato Provincial Intelligence Unit (SCPIU), and PDEA Region 12 led to the arrest of alias “John,” a 28-year-old mechanic from General Santos City. He attempted to escape but crashed into a barricade and a parked tricycle. Confiscated from him were around 38 grams of suspected shabu, a sachet of suspected shabu offered for sale, buy-bust money, and a white Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Hours later, at 1:23 AM on July 15, a separate anti-drug operation in Barangay San Isidro, Koronadal City, resulted in the arrest of alias “Alvin,” 41. The suspect was caught selling suspected shabu to an undercover officer. Seized during the operation were three sachets of suspected shabu (totaling around 5 grams), marked money, and a black pouch.
SEARCH WARRANTS IMPLEMENTED IN TANTANGAN
At 12:33 AM on July 15, Tantangan MPS, supported by multiple units including SCPDEU, SCPIU, 1st SCPMFC, PDEA 12, and the Philippine Army, served two search warrants in Barangay Poblacion. Arrested were alias “Patu,” 41, and alias “Lakay,” 18. Another suspect, alias “Tikoy,” 26, remains at large. Authorities seized a 9mm Uzi sub-machine gun, several sachets of suspected shabu worth about Php 6,800, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.
All evidence recovered during the drug operations and search warrants were inventoried in the presence of barangay officials and media, in compliance with legal procedures.
“These back-to-back accomplishments reflect the South Cotabato Police’s commitment to making our communities safer through proactive and coordinated policing efforts,” said PCOL Cadungon. Authorities urge the public to continue supporting the police by reporting suspicious activities and cooperating during law enforcement operations.