KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Seven men were arrested after operatives of the Koronadal City Police Office raided a makeshift shanty and caught them in the act of a pot session at around 1:15 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Purok Nagkakaisa, Barangay General Paulino Santos.
The operation was carried out by members of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), following reports of illegal drug activity in the area. Police said the suspects were unable to resist as officers moved in and conducted the arrest.
Authorities identified the arrested individuals as Nasrudin Sabdulah Musa, 25; Noel Bonalos Ongsinco, 54; Bobby Navarro Buga, 47; Amado Talento Simon, 41; Ronnie Camisura Dizon, 39; Eric Dela Cruz Lazaga, 33, a resident of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat; and Rene Padrones Antonio, 52. Most of the suspects are residents of Barangay General Paulino Santos and are engaged in livelihoods such as tricycle driving, vending, and manual labor.
Seized from the suspects were a sachet of suspected shabu concealed inside a monosodium glutamate (Ajinomoto) packet, two aluminum foil strips, one disposable lighter with needle, an aluminum roll used as a tooter, two disposable lighters, three all-weather glass tooters, and a small ziplock containing marijuana leaves with stalks.
Police said charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against all seven suspects.
The arrested men are currently detained at the locked-up cell of the Koronadal City PNP pending inquest proceedings and further disposition.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to sustain anti-illegal drug operations as part of efforts to curb drug use and related criminality in the city.