SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines — Two separate police operations in Sultan Kudarat resulted in the arrest of two men and the recovery of suspected illegal drugs, including more than 27 grams of suspected shabu, as law enforcement intensified anti-drug and anti-criminality operations across the province.
In Esperanza town, police arrested a high-value individual (HVI) during a search warrant operation at around 7:30 a.m. on August 20, 2026, in Barangay Sagasa. The operation was carried out by personnel of the Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS), 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company, Sultan Kudarat Police Drug Enforcement Unit/Provincial Intelligence Unit (SKPDEU/PIU), Provincial Intelligence Team-Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Kudarat Provincial Drug Enforcement Agency (SKPDEA), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The suspect, identified only as alias “Tweng,” of legal age and a resident of the area, was arrested for alleged violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Authorities said seven sachets containing suspected shabu were recovered during the operation. The seized substance weighed approximately 22 grams and had an estimated value of ₱149,600 based on the applicable standard drug price.
Police also recovered a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number, loaded with three live rounds of ammunition. Other items allegedly found during the operation included three sling bags, 15 lighters, improvised bamboo sticks, assorted empty sachets, aluminum foil, scissors, and an improvised glass tube or “tooter,” which police said were among the items taken into custody as evidence.
“Tweng” remains under the custody of the Esperanza MPS while the suspected illegal drugs have been submitted to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination. Authorities are preparing charges for alleged violations of Sections 11 and 12, Article II of RA 9165, as well as Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in connection with the recovered firearm.
Meanwhile, in Isulan, another anti-criminality operation led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man after a routine checkpoint in Barangay Dansuli turned into a pursuit operation on the evening of August 18.
Personnel of the Isulan MPS, together with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were conducting a random checkpoint as part of Oplan Sita and anti-carnapping operations at around 9:10 p.m. when the suspect, identified as alias “Joey,” allegedly refused to stop his vehicle despite repeated instructions from authorities.
Police pursued the vehicle until it was intercepted along a barangay road in Barangay Dansuli. Authorities said “Joey” allegedly continued to resist and shouted profanities at the responding personnel. A subsequent body search allegedly resulted in the recovery of one sachet containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 5.2 grams, with a reported standard drug price of ₱35,360.
Police also recovered a black wallet and a cellphone from the suspect, while the vehicle he was driving was placed under police custody for proper disposition.
The seized suspected drugs and other evidence were inventoried at the scene in the presence of the barangay chairman and a media representative. Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and remains in custody pending the filing of appropriate charges.
Authorities are preparing charges against “Joey” for alleged violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, relating to resistance and disobedience to persons in authority or their agents, and Section 11, Article II of RA 9165.
The two operations highlight the continuing law enforcement focus on illegal drugs and other criminal activities in Sultan Kudarat. While the recoveries represent significant interceptions, authorities stressed that the seized substances remain subject to laboratory examination and that the suspects will face the appropriate legal process.
The suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.