MALAPATAN, Sarangani Province — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XII (PDEA RO 12) dismantled an alleged drug den and arrested three individuals—including a father and his son—during a buy-bust operation late Thursday morning in Barangay Sapu Padidu, this municipality.
The operation, carried out at around 11:40 a.m. on January 30, 2026, was led by PDEA RO 12 through its Sarangani–General Santos Provincial Office, in coordination with the Malapatan Municipal Police Station–Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MPS–MDEU), the PDEA RO 12 Regional Special Enforcement Team, and the Philippine National Police’s 1st Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Arrested were alias “Jorhan,” 46, identified by authorities as the maintainer of the drug den; his son, alias “Toto,” 20, allegedly employed in the illegal operation; and alias “Denver,” 35, who was reportedly visiting the site at the time of the arrest. All three suspects are residents of Barangay Sapu Padidu.
Seized from the suspects were six heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, with a total estimated weight of approximately six grams and an estimated street value of ₱40,800.
Authorities said the successful operation resulted in the immediate dismantling of the drug den, which had reportedly been operating within the community.
The suspects are set to face charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale), 6 (maintenance of a drug den), 7 (employees and visitors of a drug den), 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They are currently under the custody of PDEA RO 12 pending the filing of cases.
In a statement, PDEA RO 12 reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations in the region, emphasizing that sustained enforcement actions are crucial to ensuring safer and drug-free communities across Sarangani Province.