Davao drug bust — Authorities arrested a barangay purok chairman, tagged as the region’s top drug personality, in a joint buy-bust operation that yielded over ₱1.2 million worth of suspected shabu on Wednesday night, August 13, 2025, in Barangay 25-C, Davao City.
The suspect, identified only as “Utol,” 52, is the chairman of Purok 4-A, Barangay 23-C, Boulevard, and is listed as the Top 1 Regional Level High-Value Individual in Region XI’s drug watchlist.
The operation, conducted around 8:00 p.m. on Pag-Asa Street, was led by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) under PLt. Col. Randy Sambalod, together with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit XI (RPDEU XI) headed by PLt. Richard Dionisio, the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) led by PLt. Alfredo Miguel, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Sta. Ana Police Station, and the Regional Intelligence Division XI (RID XI).
Seized from the suspect were two sachets containing approximately 190 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱1,292,000, along with a Yamaha NMax motorcycle, a helmet, a mobile phone, and other pieces of evidence.
The suspect is currently detained at the Sta. Ana Police Station and faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police said the Davao drug bust is part of intensified efforts targeting high-value individuals involved in illegal drugs in the region.