GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police operations in three municipalities of South Cotabato on September 11 and 12, 2026 resulted in the arrest of two men, the recovery of suspected shabu and firearms, and the identification of another drug-and-firearms suspect who remains at large, authorities reported.
The operations were conducted separately by the Tupi, Tantangan and Tampakan municipal police stations as part of the continuing campaign against illegal drugs and unauthorized firearms in the province.
In Tupi, police arrested a 48-year-old fruit harvester identified by the alias “Pandoy” during a drug entrapment operation in Barangay Poblacion at about 1:39 p.m. on September 11.
Police said “Pandoy,” a resident of Barangay Bololmala, Tupi, was apprehended in an operation led by the Tupi Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12.
Authorities recovered two sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 0.3 grams and an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱2,040. Police also recovered the ₱500 buy-bust money used in the operation.
The seized items were reportedly marked, inventoried and photographed in the presence of the required witnesses. Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and remains in custody.
Authorities are preparing charges against him for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for inquest proceedings.
The Tupi operation was followed by a separate police operation in Tantangan later that day.
At about 6:32 p.m. on September 11, personnel of the Tantangan Municipal Police Station implemented a search warrant at a residence in Barangay Bukay Pait in connection with alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9165.
The operation resulted in the arrest of a 43-year-old man identified by the alias “Tantan.”
Police said a homemade 12-gauge shotgun was recovered from the suspect’s bedroom. The firearm reportedly had its magazine inserted but contained no ammunition.
The suspect and the recovered firearm were placed under police custody for documentation, proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges. Police said “Tantan” will face proceedings for alleged illegal possession of a firearm under RA 10591.
Meanwhile, a separate search-warrant operation in Tampakan on September 12 led to the recovery of another firearm, live ammunition and suspected shabu, but the person named in the warrant was not present during the operation.
Tampakan Municipal Police Station personnel implemented the search warrant at a residence in the municipality pursuant to an investigation involving an alleged violation of RA 10591. The warrant was issued against a man identified by the alias “Binoy.”
Police said “Binoy” was not at the residence when officers carried out the search and remains at large.
Recovered during the operation were one unlicensed caliber .38 revolver without a serial number, two live rounds of ammunition, and two sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 0.509 grams. The suspected drugs were placed at an estimated value of ₱3,461 based on the stated drug valuation.
The recovered items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses and the occupants of the house before being brought to the Tampakan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Police said charges are being prepared against “Binoy” for alleged violations of Section 28, Article V of RA 10591 and Section 11, Article II of RA 9165. The case is set to be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Taken together, the three operations resulted in the recovery of 0.809 grams of suspected shabu, two firearms—including a homemade 12-gauge shotgun and an unmarked caliber .38 revolver—and two live rounds of ammunition. The operations also resulted in the arrest of two suspects, while a third suspect remains at large.
Police Regional Office 12 Regional Director PBGen Alan B. Manibog said authorities would continue strengthening the campaign against illegal drugs while emphasizing compliance with legal procedures.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga. Sa bawat operasyon, sisiguruhin nating nasusunod ang batas at tamang proseso para sa ligtas at mapayapang komunidad,” Manibog said.
The police operations underscore the continuing enforcement of both the anti-drug and firearms laws in South Cotabato. Authorities, however, stressed that the suspects will undergo the appropriate legal proceedings and that the allegations against them remain subject to the determination of prosecutors and the courts.