COTABATO CITY / GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 12 (PDEA RO 12) has successfully dismantled a major drug supply link in SOCCSKSARGEN following two interconnected buy-bust operations conducted on February 5 and February 9, 2026, in Sarangani Province and General Santos City.
Through its Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), in close coordination with local police units, PDEA RO12 carried out the first operation in the early hours of February 5, 2026, at around 1:24 a.m. in Sitio Dalangdang, Barangay Nagpan, Malungon, Sarangani Province. The operation was jointly conducted with the PDEA Sarangani-Gensan Provincial Office and the Malungon Municipal Police Station.
During the operation, authorities arrested two suspected drug personalities identified as alias “Suraida,” 33, and alias “Jayvan,” 28. Seized from their possession were suspected shabu weighing approximately six grams, with an estimated standard value of ₱40,800.00.
Initial investigations revealed that the arrested suspects were not operating independently and were being supplied by external sources, prompting PDEA operatives to intensify intelligence gathering and case build-up to trace the origin of the illegal drugs.
Following days of surveillance and verification, law enforcement agencies launched a follow-up operation on February 9, 2026, at around 8:31 p.m. along the National Highway in Purok Maunlad, Barangay Apopong, General Santos City.
The second buy-bust was led by the PDEA RSET in coordination with the PDEA Sarangani-Gensan Provincial Office and the General Santos City Police Office–Police Station 2. The operation resulted in the arrest of four high-value drug personalities identified as alias “Bapa,” 54; alias “Ante,” 43; alias “Pesting,” 48; and alias “Tayan,” 47, all residents of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur.
Authorities confiscated from the suspects approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱340,000.00.
PDEA investigators confirmed that alias “Bapa” and alias “Ante” were the primary sources of the illegal drugs recovered during the February 5 operation in Malungon, establishing a direct link between the two cases and effectively exposing a wider distribution network operating across provincial and city boundaries.
All six suspects are currently detained at the PDEA RO12 Custodial Facility and are facing charges for violations of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Formal complaints are being prepared for filing before the appropriate courts.
In a statement, PDEA RO12 emphasized that the successful dismantling of the drug supply chain reflects the agency’s strengthened coordination with partner law enforcement units and its commitment to intelligence-driven operations.
“PDEA RO12 remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle drug networks and hold accountable those who threaten the safety of communities in SOCCSKSARGEN,” the agency said.
Authorities reiterated their call for public cooperation in reporting illegal drug activities, stressing that community vigilance remains a vital component in the fight against narcotics and organized criminal networks in the region.