KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Four men were arrested in a pre-dawn drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Koronadal City Police Station in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 12 on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 3:04 a.m. in Purok Pantua, Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City, resulting in the arrest of four suspects identified only by their aliases: “Ronnie,” 48, a laborer and resident of Koronadal; “Romeo,” 44, a tricycle driver from Banga; “Christian,” 47, a farmer from Sto. Niño; and “Felix,” 38, a carpenter residing in Banga.
Seized from the suspects were five heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated total weight of about 50 grams and a street value of approximately ₱340,000. Authorities also recovered a ₱500 bill used as marked money during the transaction.
Police said the successful operation was the result of intensified intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city and nearby municipalities.
The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They are currently detained at the Koronadal City Police Station’s locked-up cell while further investigation and case build-up are ongoing.
Authorities reiterated their call for public cooperation, urging residents to report suspicious activities as part of the continuing campaign against illegal drugs in South Cotabato.