KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Three alleged drug personalities were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations in Koronadal City on August 28, 2026, resulting in the seizure of approximately 35.94 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱244,392, according to police.
The operations were carried out by anti-illegal drug units of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office and the Koronadal City Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-South Cotabato.
Two arrested in midnight operation
The first operation was conducted at around 1:57 a.m. in Barangay Rotonda, where police arrested two men identified by their aliases as “Golem,” 37, and “Siwo,” 46.
Police identified both men as suspected illegal drug personalities allegedly operating in the area.
The operation was led by the South Cotabato Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPDEU) in coordination with PDEA-South Cotabato and the Koronadal City Police Station–City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU).
According to police, the arrests followed a buy-bust transaction in which a police poseur-buyer purchased a sachet of suspected shabu from the suspects.
The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 32.94 grams of suspected shabu, valued by authorities at ₱223,992.
The seized drug evidence consisted of:
- One sachet of suspected shabu sold to the poseur-buyer, weighing approximately 0.14 gram;
- Three additional sachets containing approximately 32.8 grams of suspected shabu;
- The ₱500 marked money used in the operation;
- One coin purse; and
- One wallet.
Police said the seized substances will undergo laboratory examination as part of the evidence-processing and case-building procedures.
Woman arrested in afternoon buy-bust
Several hours later, at around 2:48 p.m., another anti-drug operation was conducted in Barangay GPS, also in Koronadal City, resulting in the arrest of a 47-year-old woman identified by the alias “Karen.”
Police said Karen is a resident of Barangay GPS.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Koronadal CPS CDEU, South Cotabato Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, South Cotabato Police Intelligence Unit, and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, pursuant to a PDEA pre-operation authority.
Authorities said the suspect was arrested after a police poseur-buyer purchased a sachet of suspected shabu from her for ₱500.
A separate sachet containing suspected shabu and the marked money used in the transaction were also recovered.
The total amount of suspected shabu seized in the operation was approximately three grams, with an estimated value of ₱20,400.
The recovered evidence was placed under police custody pending the required examination and documentation.
Charges being prepared
Police said appropriate complaints are being prepared against all three arrested suspects for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Section 5 covers the sale, trading, administration, dispensing, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs, while Section 11 covers the possession of dangerous drugs.
The three suspects remain in police custody at the Koronadal City Police Station while authorities complete the necessary documentation and filing of charges.
The seized substances remain subject to laboratory examination, and the allegations against the suspects will be determined through the appropriate legal proceedings.