GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) intensified its war against illegal drugs and criminality with two major operations in General Santos City that led to the arrest of a high-value drug suspect and another individual, and the seizure of more than ₱560,000 worth of suspected shabu, firearms, and an explosive device.
On the evening of January 8, 2026, operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12 (RPDEU-12), in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division 12, PDEA Regional Special Enforcement Team 12, Regional Intelligence Unit 12, Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 12, and Police Station 2 of the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO), conducted a buy-bust operation at Purok Bulaong Extension, Barangay Labangal.
The operation was launched following verified intelligence reports about an individual known as “SoySoy,” who was allegedly engaged in large-scale drug distribution in the area.
Authorities arrested the suspect, identified as a 41-year-old married male, jobless, and a resident of Barangay Dadiangas East, who was classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI) in illegal drug activities.
Seized from the suspect were:
- One small sachet of suspected shabu (0.4 gram) as the object of sale
- Ten medium-sized sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately five grams each
- A total of 50.4 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱342,720
Also recovered were the ₱1,000 marked buy-bust money, a black sling bag, Android mobile phone, ₱120 cash, black coin pouch, smartwatch, a photocopy of a land title, and a pawn receipt.
The inventory and marking of evidence were conducted in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses from the barangay and media. All drug evidence was turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit in General Santos City for examination, while the suspect remains under the custody of Police Station 2 as charges are being prepared.
Just days later, on January 10, 2025, another law enforcement operation further underscored PRO-12’s intensified campaign. Joint operatives from Police Station 7, City Mobile Force Company–SWAT, City Intelligence Unit of GSCPO, in coordination with the 44th Special Action Company and Task Force Gensan, served a Search Warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in Barangay San Jose, General Santos City.
The operation led to the arrest of a 39-year-old male known as “Bimbo,” and the seizure of:
- One .22 caliber firearm with magazine loaded with 10 live rounds
- One fragmentation grenade
- One .38 caliber live ammunition
- Seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing 32.1 grams valued at ₱218,280
The suspect and all confiscated items were brought to Police Station 7 for documentation and proper disposition. Criminal charges are now being readied for filing in court.
PBGEN Arnold P. Ardiente, Regional Director of PRO-12, stressed the grave danger posed by the recovered weapons, explosive device, and illegal drugs.
“The presence of firearms, a fragmentation grenade, and illegal drugs in a residential area is a clear danger to public safety. These items could have been used to facilitate violent crimes, intimidate communities, and destroy lives through drug abuse. This successful operation prevented potential loss of life and reinforced our resolve to keep our community safe,” Ardiente said.
He assured the public that PRO-12 will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations in close coordination with partner agencies to dismantle criminal networks and ensure peace and security across SOCCSKSARGEN.