Davao City – Authorities arrested a barangay kagawad and two other men in an entrapment operation that dismantled a suspected drug den in GSIS Heights, Matina, Davao City on Saturday afternoon, August 23, 2025.
In a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 11, operatives targeted and arrested Diego, 50, identified as the maintainer of the drug den in the area. He was caught in possession of a sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about one gram.
Also arrested was Ferdinand, an alleged worker at the drug den, and Alias “Leandro”, a barangay kagawad from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, who was reportedly visiting the hideout during the raid.
Seized from the operation were nine sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 19 grams, drug paraphernalia, and marked money used in the buy-bust.
Authorities underscored the alarming involvement of an incumbent barangay official in illegal drugs, noting that Leandro—despite holding public office and being expected to uphold the law—had no fear in associating himself with a drug den and its illicit operations.
The suspects are now under the custody of PDEA-11 and face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.