KABACAN, Cotabato — Police recovered unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and suspected shabu worth nearly ₱60,000 during the implementation of a search warrant in Barangay Dagupan, Kabacan, Cotabato, early Saturday, October 31, but the subject of the operation remained at large.
The operation was carried out at around 5:40 a.m. in Purok Mainabianon by personnel of the Kabacan Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the 1st and 2nd Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Companies, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office–Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit.
Authorities said the operation was conducted under a search warrant issued on October 27, 2026, by the Regional Trial Court in Kabacan in connection with an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
During the search, operatives recovered a caliber .38 revolver without a serial number, loaded with four live rounds of ammunition, as well as an improvised M14 rifle and two magazines.
Police also recovered three medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
The suspected illegal drugs weighed approximately 8.8 grams and had an estimated standard drug value of ₱59,840, according to authorities.
The subject of the search warrant was identified by police as alias “Bingbong,” a married and unemployed resident of the area. Contrary to an earlier report indicating that a person identified by another alias had been arrested during the operation, the police report stated that the subject identified as alias “Bingbong” remained at large as of the latest update.
The search and seizure were conducted in the presence of the subject’s daughter, a barangay kagawad, and a media representative, in accordance with procedures governing the implementation of search warrants and the handling of seized evidence.
The confiscated firearms, ammunition, and suspected shabu are set to be submitted to the PNP Forensic Unit in Kidapawan City for appropriate laboratory and forensic examination.
Authorities are preparing criminal complaints against the subject for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591 and Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, through regular legal procedures.
Police Colonel Ramel B. Hojilla, provincial director of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, said the operation reflects the continuing campaign of law enforcement authorities against the proliferation of loose firearms and illegal drugs in the province.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa ilegal na armas at droga; sisiguraduhin nating mananagot ang mga lumalabag at mapapanatili nating ligtas ang ating mga komunidad,” Hojilla said.
The recovery highlights the continuing challenge faced by authorities in preventing the circulation of illegal firearms and dangerous drugs in local communities, with police maintaining that operations will continue against individuals suspected of violating firearms and narcotics laws.
The subject remains at large as authorities continue the legal process and pursue further action in connection with the case.