COTABATO — Separate police operations in Kidapawan City and the municipalities of Alamada, Magpet and President Roxas in Cotabato province from September 16 to 17, 2026 resulted in the recovery of suspected illegal drugs, a homemade pistol, a revolver and assorted ammunition, with two suspects arrested and two others facing ongoing efforts for apprehension.
The operations, carried out through search warrants and a buy-bust operation, involved local police units, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, the Regional Intelligence Section, mobile force units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The cases involved suspected violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
11 Grams Of Suspected Shabu Recovered In Kidapawan
One of the largest drug recoveries was recorded in Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City, early Wednesday morning, September 16.
At about 5:55 a.m., personnel of the Kidapawan City Police Station, in coordination with the 1st Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st CPMFC) and PDEA Region 12, implemented a search warrant in connection with an alleged violation of Section 11, Article II of RA 9165.
The warrant targeted alias “Jetser,” a 28-year-old farmer and resident of Barangay Poblacion, whom police identified as a high-value individual in the illegal drug trade.
During the search, authorities reportedly recovered six sachets of suspected shabu consisting of one large sachet, one medium sachet and four small sachets.
Police placed the total weight of the suspected substance at approximately 11 grams, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of ₱74,800.
The recovered items were marked at the scene in the presence of the suspect’s uncle, a media representative and an elected barangay official.
The evidence is set to be submitted to the Provincial Forensic Unit in Kidapawan City for qualitative and quantitative examination, following its presentation before the issuing court.
However, police said “Jetser” was not present when the search warrant was implemented and remains at large.
Follow-up operations are being conducted to locate and apprehend him.
62-Year-Old Farmer Arrested In Alamada Drug And Firearm Operation
Later that afternoon, at approximately 2:50 p.m., authorities arrested a 62-year-old farmer during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Rangayen, Alamada, Cotabato.
The arrested suspect, identified by the alias “Poldo,” is a married farmer and resident of Barangay Pacao, Alamada.
Personnel of the Alamada Municipal Police Station, together with the RIS 12 Tracker Team Echo, RMFB 12 3rd Mobile Company and 2nd CPMFC, conducted the operation in coordination with PDEA.
Authorities said the operation led to the confiscation of approximately 10 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves, with a reported Standard Drug Price of ₱600.
A homemade pistol without a serial number was also recovered, along with seven rounds of assorted live ammunition, additional suspected marijuana and other pieces of evidence.
The seized items were inventoried and documented at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses.
The confiscated evidence will undergo qualitative, quantitative and ballistics examinations.
Police said a criminal complaint is being prepared against the suspect for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165, as well as RA 10591, the country’s firearms law.
Street-Level Suspect Arrested In Magpet
Another search-warrant operation resulted in the arrest of a 26-year-old man identified by the alias “Edward” in Barangay Bantac, Magpet, Cotabato, at around 11:00 p.m. on September 16.
Personnel of the Magpet Municipal Police Station, together with the Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (CPPO-PDEU) and CPPO-Provincial Intelligence Unit (CPPO-PIU), conducted the operation in coordination with PDEA Regional Office XII.
Police said the suspect, a resident of Barangay Bantac, was arrested by virtue of a search warrant for an alleged violation of Section 11, Article II of RA 9165.
Authorities recovered three heat-sealed sachets containing approximately 0.25 gram of suspected shabu, with an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱1,700.
One lighter was also recovered during the operation.
The suspect remains under police custody and is expected to undergo inquest proceedings before the appropriate Prosecutor’s Office.
The suspected illegal drugs and other evidence will be submitted to the North Cotabato Provincial Forensics Unit in Kidapawan City for examination and will also be presented before the issuing court.
Firearm, Ammunition And Suspected Shabu Seized In President Roxas
The latest operation took place on September 17, when police arrested a 38-year-old driver and seized a firearm, ammunition and suspected illegal drugs during the implementation of two search warrants in Barangay Poblacion, President Roxas, Cotabato, at approximately 4:52 p.m.
Personnel of the President Roxas Municipal Police Station, together with the Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, implemented the warrants for alleged violations of RA 10591 and Section 11, Article II of RA 9165.
The warrants were issued against alias “Ford,” a resident of Barangay Poblacion, President Roxas.
According to police, the operation resulted in the recovery of a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber revolver without a serial number, loaded with four live rounds of ammunition.
Authorities also seized five sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 0.10325 gram, with an estimated market value of ₱2,500.
Other items recovered included an empty pack of New Berlin cigarettes, an orange lighter and several pieces of used aluminum foil.
The seized evidence was properly documented and will undergo appropriate forensic and ballistic examinations.
The suspect is currently under police custody while documentation is being completed for the filing of criminal charges for alleged violations of RA 10591 and Section 11, Article II of RA 9165.
Four Operations, Multiple Evidence Items
Across the four operations, authorities reported recovering approximately 11.35325 grams of suspected shabu and marijuana combined, although the reported quantities refer to different substances and cases and remain subject to laboratory confirmation.
The reported drug-related recoveries included:
- Kidapawan City: approximately 11 grams of suspected shabu, estimated DDB value of ₱74,800;
- Alamada: approximately 10 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves, with a reported Standard Drug Price of ₱600;
- Magpet: approximately 0.25 gram of suspected shabu, estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱1,700; and
- President Roxas: approximately 0.10325 gram of suspected shabu, estimated market value of ₱2,500.
Authorities also recovered two firearms—a homemade pistol and a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber revolver—and at least 11 rounds of assorted live ammunition across the Alamada and President Roxas operations.
The reported drug quantities, identities and classifications of the seized substances remain subject to the required laboratory examinations, while the firearms and ammunition will undergo ballistic examination where applicable.
Of the four suspects named in the operations, “Poldo,” 62, and “Edward,” 26, were arrested, while “Jetser,” 28, and “Ford,” 38, were reported differently in the operational accounts, with “Ford” reportedly under police custody following the September 17 search-warrant operation.
Authorities said appropriate criminal complaints are being prepared or pursued based on the respective cases.
The operations form part of continuing police and anti-drug enforcement efforts in Cotabato, with law enforcement units coordinating with PDEA in the implementation of search warrants and anti-illegal drug operations.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.