COTABATO CITY — A joint police and anti-drug operation led to the arrest of a high-value target and the confiscation of over ₱1.1 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Poblacion 3, Cotabato City, around 4:30 p.m. on October 27, 2025.
The suspect, identified as Datu Noel Guimba, also known as alias “Dhats,” 26 years old, married, a driver, and a resident of Extension, Poblacion 2, Cotabato City, was wounded during the buy-bust operation after attempting to grab a firearm from an undercover operative.
According to PLTCOL Esmael A. Madin, chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOSMPS) and head of the Provincial Special Operations Group (PSOG), the operation was originally planned to take place in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. However, the suspect insisted on moving the transaction to Cotabato City.
After the transaction was completed, the poseur buyer was about to give the pre-arranged signal when Guimba noticed the firearm of the operative. The suspect allegedly tried to seize the weapon, prompting the backup officers to fire, hitting him in the right thigh.
Recovered from the suspect were 170 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱1,156,000, three jumbo and one medium-sized plastic sachets, a ₱1,000 marked buy-bust money, ₱400,000 boodle money, a red Honda Click motorcycle, a blue eco bag used to conceal the drugs, and a keypad cellphone used in the illegal transaction.
The joint operation was conducted by DOSMPS and PSOG in coordination with CCPO-Police Station 1, Cotabato City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (CPDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) Maguindanao del Norte, 42nd Special Action Company (SAC) of the 4th Special Action Battalion (SAB), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – BARMM (PDEA-BARMM) under the supervision of PCOL Victor Rito, Provincial Director of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office.
Authorities revealed that Guimba is a High-Value Individual (HVI) in the region’s drug watchlist and had only recently been released from detention for a similar drug-related offense in Region 12.
The suspect is currently receiving medical treatment in a Cotabato City hospital while facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police assured the public that intensified anti-drug operations will continue in Maguindanao del Norte and Cotabato City to dismantle drug networks and hold high-value individuals accountable.
“This operation is a testament to our unwavering campaign against illegal drugs. We will not let repeat offenders and traffickers endanger our communities,” PLTCOL Madin said in a statement.