Four individuals were arrested and more than 130 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱886,856 were seized during the implementation of a search warrant in Barangay North Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, early Tuesday morning, August 18.
The operation was conducted at around 5:17 a.m. by joint personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), led by the Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit.
Arrested were alias “Tikboy,” 49; alias “Boying,” 43; alias “Darren,” 21; and alias “Bren,” 42. Police said all four are residents of Barangay North Manuangan, Pigcawayan.
Authorities recovered 14 sachets containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with a combined weight of 130.42 grams. Based on the National Standard Drug Price, the seized substance was valued at ₱886,856.
Also recovered during the search was a .38-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of live ammunition.
The operation involved personnel from the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station, 2nd Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Division 12, 1203rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, Police Intelligence Team-North Cotabato of the Regional Intelligence Unit 12, and the National Intelligence Support Group–Eastern Mindanao.
Police said the four suspects were brought to the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station for custodial booking, documentation, medical examination and inquest proceedings.
The seized suspected drugs and firearm were secured in accordance with established chain-of-custody procedures. The suspected shabu will undergo forensic chemical examination, while the firearm will be subjected to ballistic examination as part of the investigation.
PRO 12 Regional Director PBGen Alan B. Manibog said the operation forms part of the police’s continuing campaign against illegal drugs and other threats to public safety.
“Ang bawat operasyon ay may layuning protektahan ang ating mga kababayan. Sa bawat nakukuhang ilegal na droga, nababawasan ang banta sa ating mga pamilya at komunidad. Patuloy tayong kikilos nang naaayon sa batas, may integridad, at may respeto sa karapatan ng bawat isa,” Manibog said.
Authorities have not disclosed further details on the circumstances that led to the issuance of the search warrant or the identities of the individuals named in the warrant. The suspects’ alleged involvement and the ownership of the seized items remain subject to the ongoing investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
The case is expected to proceed through the necessary inquest and prosecutorial processes, while the forensic examination of the seized evidence will help determine whether the substances and firearm are consistent with the allegations made by authorities.