Sarangani, Davao Occidental — A fisherman who had previously surrendered under the government’s anti-drug campaign was arrested anew for allegedly selling illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation conducted in Sitio Manando, Barangay Camahual, Sarangani, Davao Occidental (Balot Island) on October 2, 2025, at around 3:30 p.m.
The suspect was identified as Hussin Diamalon Aquilan, also known as “Sim,” 51, married, and a resident of the said barangay. Authorities said Aquilan was a former drug surrenderer who had been previously monitored for returning to the illegal drug trade.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of Davao Occidental, the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU) of Sarangani MPS, the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of DOCPPO, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Davao Occidental.
During the buy-bust, operatives confiscated one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu weighing around 0.5 gram, valued at ₱1,000, which served as the buy-bust item.
Further search led to the seizure of three more medium-sized sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 2 grams, wrapped in gold cigarette foil. Authorities also recovered the ₱1,000 marked money, additional ₱800 in cash, and the suspect’s vaccination ID card.
The total confiscated shabu weighed 2.5 grams, with an estimated standard value of ₱17,000, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board valuation.
The suspect is now detained at the Sarangani Municipal Police Station and faces charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities reiterated their warning to former drug surrenderers to stay away from illegal activities, emphasizing that continuous monitoring and operations will be carried out against those who return to the drug trade.