KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — A suspected High Value Individual (HVI) was arrested and suspected shabu and an unregistered firearm were seized during a midnight police operation in Kidapawan City early Tuesday, September 29, while a separate search-warrant operation in nearby Magpet days earlier also resulted in the recovery of a .38-caliber revolver and live ammunition.
The two operations, conducted in separate municipalities and involving different respondents, formed part of law enforcement efforts in Cotabato Province targeting illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms.
In Kidapawan City, joint police and anti-drug operatives implemented search warrants at about 2:52 a.m. on September 29 in Barangay Sibawan, leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old man identified by authorities as alias “Jelo,” a resident of the area.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Kidapawan City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit, Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The search was conducted pursuant to warrants issued in connection with alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Authorities said they recovered seven sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined weight of 20.1 grams. The suspected illegal drugs were placed at an estimated value of ₱136,680, based on the standard drug price cited by authorities.
Also recovered during the search was a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number, loaded with three live rounds of ammunition.
The seized suspected shabu is set to undergo laboratory examination at the Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit following its presentation before the court, authorities said.
Alias “Jelo” remains under police custody at the Kidapawan City Police Station custodial facility while authorities prepare the appropriate charges for filing before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Regional Director PBGen Alan B. Manibog commended the participating units for the coordinated implementation of the search warrants.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga at mga baril na ginagamit sa krimen,” Manibog said, stressing that the operation was carried out through coordination among the participating law enforcement units and in accordance with proper procedures.
“Makakaasa ang publiko na mananatili tayong masigasig sa pagpapanatili ng kaligtasan at seguridad sa ating mga komunidad,” he added.
Separate firearm recovery in Magpet
Meanwhile, a separate search-warrant operation in Barangay Mahongkog, Magpet, Cotabato, on September 25 resulted in the recovery of another .38-caliber revolver without a serial number and three live rounds of ammunition.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Magpet Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Cotabato Provincial Police Office–Provincial Intelligence Unit, by virtue of a search warrant issued for an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591.
The respondent in the Magpet case was identified as alias “Jojo,” 21, but he was not present when police implemented the search warrant.
Authorities said Jojo remains at large.
The recovered firearm and ammunition were properly marked and inventoried in the presence of witnesses, police said. The evidence will be submitted to the issuing court and the North Cotabato Provincial Forensics Unit for examination.
Authorities are also preparing the appropriate charges for filing before the Prosecutor’s Office.
The two operations highlight continuing law enforcement efforts in Cotabato to locate suspected illegal drugs and firearms through court-authorized searches. While the Kidapawan operation resulted in an arrest and the recovery of both suspected shabu and a firearm, the Magpet operation remains an ongoing case, with the identified respondent still at large.
The allegations against both respondents remain subject to the appropriate legal proceedings.