KABACAN, Cotabato — A joint police operation in Kabacan, Cotabato, early Friday, November 6, resulted in the arrest of a 43-year-old man and the recovery of a .45-caliber pistol and seven sachets containing approximately 63.2 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug value of ₱429,760.
The operation was conducted at around 4:20 a.m. at Purok 6, Barangay Osias, through the implementation of a search warrant for an alleged violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The arrested individual was identified only by the alias “Nas,” 43, whose residence was searched by personnel of the Kabacan Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with the 1st and 2nd Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Companies (CPMFCs) and the Cotabato Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (CPPO-PDEU).
During the search, police recovered one .45-caliber pistol without a serial number, one steel magazine, four live rounds of .45-caliber ammunition, and seven sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
The discovery of the suspected illegal drugs alongside an unregistered or unauthorized firearm has placed the operation at the intersection of two major law enforcement concerns: the proliferation of illegal drugs and the possession of firearms outside the regulatory framework.
Police said the search was conducted in the presence of the arrested suspect and witnesses from the barangay and the media, in accordance with the required procedures for implementing search warrants.
The confiscated substances will undergo laboratory examination to establish their identity and actual composition, while the recovered firearm and ammunition will be subjected to ballistic examination. The results of these examinations will form part of the evidence in the cases being prepared against the suspect.
Authorities said charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 10591 and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing through inquest proceedings.
The estimated drug value of ₱429,760 represents the standard valuation provided by the police and remains subject to the appropriate evidentiary and forensic processes.
Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Ramel B. Hojilla said the operation reflects the police force’s continuing efforts to address illegal drugs and unauthorized firearms in the province.
“Hindi kami titigil sa pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa ilegal na droga at mga hindi awtorisadong armas. Patuloy naming paiigtingin ang ating mga operasyon upang maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad at mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan ng Cotabato,” Hojilla said.
The operation underscores the continuing law enforcement challenge of addressing drug-related activities while preventing unauthorized firearms from circulating in local communities.
However, the seized substances must still be confirmed through laboratory testing, and the allegations against the arrested individual remain subject to judicial proceedings. The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.