KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province — Authorities seized more than ₱51,000 worth of suspected shabu and an unlicensed firearm during a late-night search warrant operation in Barangay Indangan, Kidapawan City, but the primary target, identified only by his alias “Makoy,” managed to evade arrest and remains at large.
The operation was conducted shortly before midnight on July 14 and into the early hours of July 15, 2026, by personnel of the Kidapawan City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) in coordination with the Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and the 1st Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (CPMFC).
Police implemented search warrants against the suspect, who has been classified as a High Value Individual (HVI) in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign, for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
According to police reports, the subject of the warrants was not present at his residence in Purok 7, Barangay Indangan when authorities carried out the operation. Despite his absence, law enforcement personnel recovered a substantial amount of evidence linking the property to alleged illegal drug and firearms activities.
Among the items confiscated were six heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 7.6 grams, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱51,680. Investigators said the seized substances will undergo qualitative and quantitative laboratory examinations to confirm their composition and determine their evidentiary value in court.
Authorities also recovered a Colt caliber .45 pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of live ammunition, all of which were taken into police custody for proper documentation and forensic processing.
Police said the recovered firearm and ammunition will be subjected to ballistic examination and verification to determine whether the weapon has been used in any previous criminal activity.
The Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said the successful operation highlights the continuing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs and loose firearms in the province.
With the suspect still on the run, authorities have launched follow-up operations to locate and arrest him. Police are likewise preparing the necessary criminal complaints for filing before the Office of the City Prosecutor.
Police Brigadier General Alan B. Manibog, Acting Regional Director of Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12), commended the operating units for the successful implementation of the search warrants and reiterated the regional police force’s commitment to its intensified anti-drug and anti-criminality campaigns.
“Ang matagumpay na operasyong ito ay patunay na hindi titigil ang inyong kapulisan sa pagtugis sa mga sangkot sa ilegal na droga at iligal na armas. Patuloy din ang ating follow-up operations upang agad na maaresto ang subject ng search warrants at maiharap siya sa hustisya,” Manibog said.
The operation forms part of PRO-12’s continuing campaign against illegal drugs, illegal firearms, and other criminal activities, with authorities emphasizing that intelligence-driven and legally sanctioned operations remain central to maintaining peace and order across the region.
Police urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting suspected illegal drug activities and the presence of loose firearms in their communities. As of press time, operations to track down alias “Makoy” were ongoing.