COTABATO CITY – Authorities arrested a 38-year-old woman and her 16-year-old daughter in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion 5 on Friday night, August 8, 2025, resulting in the seizure of ₱3.4 million worth of suspected shabu.
The suspects were identified as Farida Bai Montar, also known as “Far/Fhar/Fahrida,” a farmer from Poblacion 1, Cotabato City, and her minor daughter, known as “Mona.”
According to Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, the operation was conducted at around 6:30 p.m. by the Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 15 (PDEG SOU 15) led by PLt. Jhon Paclibar, in coordination with Cotabato City Police Station 1, PDEA-BARMM, and other law enforcement units.
Seized from the suspects were 10 jumbo-size sachets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 500 grams, with a Standard Drug Price of ₱3,400,000. Also recovered were two school IDs, two cellphones, a wallet, a sling bag, coins, and the marked money used in the entrapment.
De Guzman noted that the operation’s success was made possible through the support of barangay officials and members of the multi-sector Cotabato City Peace and Order Council, chaired by Mayor Bruce Matabalao.
Montar is now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while her minor daughter has been turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office for proper intervention.