BUKIDNON — Law enforcement authorities scored major gains against illegal drugs and loose firearms after two separate operations in Malaybalay City and Maramag led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of shabu valued at a combined ₱578,000, along with a fragmentation grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, and assorted ammunition.
Search warrant yields ₱408K shabu, grenade, and firearm in Malaybalay
In Malaybalay City, personnel of the Malaybalay City Police Station, led by PLTCOL Joepet B. Paglinawan, implemented Search Warrant No. RTC-OCC 02-26 on January 15, 2026, at Purok 3, Barangay Dalwangan. The operation resulted in the arrest of a 44-year-old male for violations of Republic Act (RA) 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), and RA 9516 (illegal possession of explosives).
Seized during the operation were:
- One MK2 HE fragmentation hand grenade, wrapped with scotch tape
- One .45 caliber pistol (with markings: United States Property M1911A1, Remington Rand Inc.)
- 21 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition and three steel magazines
- Three heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu weighing 60 grams, with a standard drug price of ₱408,000
- A tactical sling bag, inside holster, scotch tape, and ₱25,000 cash
The operation was supported by the 1st Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company, Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (PECU), and coordinated with Bukidnon PIU and RIU-10.
Commending the operatives, PCOL Navales said the successful operation underscores the police force’s “untiring commitment in fighting the threat of illegal drugs in the province.”
The suspect and seized items were brought to the Malaybalay City Police Station for documentation. The suspected drugs and firearm were forwarded to the Bukidnon Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory and ballistic examinations, while the grenade remains under the custody of the PECU.
₱170K shabu seized; four arrested in Maramag buy-bust
In a separate anti-drug operation, four newly identified suspects were arrested during a buy-bust at Purok 1, Barangay South Poblacion, Maramag at around 9:55 a.m. on January 20, 2026.
The suspects, identified by the aliases “Cathy,” “Potot,” “Bobordz,” and “Chard,” were found in possession of suspected shabu with a total weight of 25 grams and an estimated value of ₱170,000.
The operation was conducted by the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU) of the Maramag Municipal Police Station under PLTCOL Alexander E. Eugenio, with support from the BUK 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and in coordination with PDEA Region 10.
Recovered from the suspects were multiple sachets of suspected shabu (including the buy-bust item), a coin purse, a ₱500 bill used as buy-bust money, and an Android mobile phone. The suspects are currently in police custody as cases for violations of RA 9165 are being prepared.
sustained crackdown
Police said the twin operations reflect intensified enforcement efforts by the Philippine National Police in Bukidnon against illegal drugs, firearms, and explosives, warning criminal elements that authorities will continue coordinated actions to keep communities safe.