PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — September 6, 2026 — A 30-year-old unemployed man was arrested after authorities implemented a search warrant that led to the seizure of suspected shabu, a .45-caliber pistol, ammunition and other items during an operation in Barangay Bulatok, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, on September 5.
The operation was conducted at around 7:20 a.m. at Purok Matinahuron, Barangay Bulatok, targeting a man identified by authorities as alias “Bebe,” 30, unemployed, with a live-in partner and a resident of the area.
The search was led by the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (ZSPDEU) under Police Captain Dexter R. Dalena, Chief of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, with personnel from the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit (ZSPIU), Regional Intelligence Division 9 (RID9), 902nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (902nd RMFB9), Regional Special Enforcement Team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 9 (RSET PDEA9), and other personnel coordinating with PDEA9.
Authorities were implementing a search warrant issued by Judge Romeo T. Descallar on September 2, 2026, as part of an anti-illegal drug operation.
Suspected shabu, firearm and ammunition seized
During the search, law enforcement personnel reportedly recovered two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
The suspected illegal drugs had a combined gross weight of 6.61 grams before marking and 7.79 grams after marking, according to the police report.
Based on the reported gross weight prior to marking, the suspected shabu was given an estimated standard drug price of ₱44,948. Using the post-marking weight, its estimated value was placed at ₱52,972.
Aside from the suspected drugs, authorities also reported recovering a .45-caliber Infinity pistol with serial number 881536. The firearm was described as black and fitted with a camouflage-colored hand grip.
A stainless .45-caliber magazine and nine live rounds of ammunition for the handgun were also reportedly seized.
The search likewise resulted in the recovery of a long magazine for an M16 5.56mm rifle and 26 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, along with other items reportedly used as containers for the seized evidence.
The presence of the firearm and ammunition adds a separate firearms-related component to the case being prepared against the arrested man.
Evidence undergoing proper processing
Authorities said the suspected drug evidence would be submitted to the Provincial Forensic Unit at Camp Abelon in Pagadian City for proper examination and processing.
The non-drug evidence, meanwhile, will be presented to the office of the court that issued the search warrant, in accordance with established procedures.
The operation was also documented using an alternative recording device, pursuant to applicable guidelines and directives of the court and the Philippine National Police.
Police said the evidence was handled and processed in accordance with the required legal procedures to preserve its integrity and admissibility in court.
Cases being prepared
The arrested man is facing charges for alleged violations of Section 11 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.
Section 11 of RA 9165 covers the illegal possession of dangerous drugs, while RA 10591 regulates the possession, ownership and use of firearms and ammunition.
Authorities said the appropriate cases were already being prepared for documentation and filing before the proper court.
Pending the completion of the legal process, the suspect remains under the custody of the Pagadian City Police Station.
The operation forms part of continuing law enforcement efforts in Zamboanga del Sur against illegal drugs and the possession of firearms and ammunition outside the bounds of the law.
Authorities stressed that the seized substances and other items will undergo the appropriate forensic and legal processes, while the arrested man remains presumed