LAMITAN CITY, Basilan – August 28, 2025 — A joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Boheyakan led to the arrest of two individuals and the confiscation of firearms and suspected illegal drugs, police reported Thursday.
The operation, carried out by the Lamitan City Police Station in coordination with the 1st Basilan Provincial Mobile Force Company and the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 15B, was launched at around 8:50 a.m. by virtue of Search Warrant No. 07-2025 for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities initially targeted Jovie Delos Santos, the subject of the warrant, but he managed to evade arrest and remains at large. Police informed his wife of the warrant’s validity before proceeding with the search.
Two individuals, however, were apprehended during the operation. They were identified as Issaw Liyanson Dailun, 24, of Barangay Semmut, Akbar, Basilan, and Rojhan Alampay Marcelino, 22, of Purok 3, Barangay Boheyakan, Lamitan City.
Recovered from Dailun were:
- one .45 caliber pistol (serial number 925340) with magazine and six live rounds,
- six heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu,
- eight heat-sealed strips of straw with suspected shabu,
- three strips of aluminum foil.
The seized drugs, weighing about three grams, have an estimated street value of ₱20,400.
Meanwhile, Marcelino was found in possession of a homemade shotgun and three live shotgun shells.
Both suspects were apprised of their constitutional rights before being taken into custody. The inventory and marking of evidence were conducted on-site in the presence of Barangay Chairman Joel Victoria and media representative Grace Alconaba.
The suspects were later brought to Lamitan CPS for documentation, while the confiscated drugs were turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit for examination. The two will also undergo medical and drug testing.
Authorities noted that two Android devices were used as alternative recording tools during the implementation of the search warrant, in compliance with Supreme Court resolution A.M. No. 21-06-08 SC.
Police said complaints for violation of R.A. 9165, R.A. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and the COMELEC gun ban are being prepared for filing against the arrested suspects.