Police anti-illegal drug operations conducted in South Cotabato between September 14 and 18, 2026 resulted in the arrest of four suspected drug personalities and the seizure of suspected shabu with a combined estimated value of more than ₱115,000, based on the drug valuations provided by authorities.
The operations were carried out in Koronadal City and the municipality of Surallah, involving personnel from local police drug enforcement units, intelligence sections, the South Cotabato Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPDEU), the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
₱27,744 Worth of Suspected Shabu Seized in Koronadal
The first operation was conducted at about 2:57 p.m. on September 14 in Barangay San Roque, Koronadal City, resulting in the arrest of a 48-year-old man identified by police as alias “Lester.”
The operation was conducted by the SCPDEU, PDEA-South Cotabato, and the Koronadal City Police Station–City Drug Enforcement Unit.
Police recovered three sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 4.09 grams. This included a 0.22-gram sachet allegedly sold during the buy-bust transaction.
Authorities placed the estimated Standard Drug Price of the seized suspected shabu at ₱27,744.
The operation was witnessed by a media representative and an elected barangay official. Police said the seized drug evidence would undergo laboratory examination, while complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were being prepared against the suspect.
9.55 Grams Seized in Surallah
Two days later, at about 1 p.m. on September 16, another buy-bust operation led to the arrest of a 22-year-old woman in Villavicencio Village Zone 1, Barangay Libertad, Surallah, South Cotabato.
Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 9.55 grams of suspected shabu, which authorities valued at ₱64,940.
Three heat-sealed sachets containing the suspected drug were seized, along with buy-bust money, boodle money, and an Android mobile phone.
Authorities said the seized items were inventoried and documented at the scene in the presence of witnesses before being brought to the police station together with the arrested suspect for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.
Two Arrested in Koronadal San Roque Operation
At about 10:20 p.m. on September 16, police conducted another anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay San Roque, Koronadal City, resulting in the arrest of two men identified as alias “Adri,” 51, and “Ian,” 46. Both were described as residents of the area.
Operatives from the Koronadal City Police Station City Drug Enforcement Unit and Intelligence Section, together with the SCPDEU and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, carried out the buy-bust operation in coordination with PDEA.
Three sachets containing approximately two grams of suspected shabu were recovered, along with the ₱500 buy-bust money. Police estimated the street value of the suspected drugs at ₱13,600.
The operation was witnessed by a media representative and an elected barangay official. Police said the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and that the seized evidence was secured for proper disposition.
Criminal complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 were being prepared against the two suspects.
Another Arrest in Koronadal Zone I
The latest operation was conducted at about 5:15 p.m. on September 18 in Barangay Zone I, Koronadal City, where police arrested a 39-year-old jobless resident identified as alias “Rin-rin.”
Personnel of the Koronadal City Police Station City Drug Enforcement Unit and intelligence operatives, together with the SCPDEU and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, conducted the operation in coordination with PDEA.
Police recovered three sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately two grams, with an estimated street value of ₱9,000, as well as the ₱500 buy-bust money.
The arrested suspect remains in police custody, while the seized evidence was secured for proper disposition. Authorities said complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act No. 9165 were being prepared.
Four Operations, Multiple Drug Cases
Across the four operations, authorities reported the recovery of at least 17.64 grams of suspected shabu, based on the individual weights provided in the police reports, although the drug valuations differed according to the applicable pricing references used in each operation.
The reported operations resulted in four arrests: alias “Lester” in Koronadal on September 14; the 22-year-old woman in Surallah on September 16; alias “Adri” and “Ian” in Koronadal later that day; and alias “Rin-rin” in Koronadal on September 18.
All of the suspects remain subject to the filing and evaluation of criminal complaints. The seized substances are also subject to the required forensic and laboratory examination where applicable.
Police operations and allegations of violations of Republic Act No. 9165 do not by themselves establish guilt, which remains a matter for the proper judicial process.