January 11, 2025 – In a series of decisive anti-illegal drug operations, the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) apprehended five suspects in separate incidents across Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Iligan City. These operations underscore PRO10’s commitment to curbing the illegal drug trade in Northern Mindanao.
First Operation: Misamis Oriental
At approximately 1:25 PM, a joint buy-bust operation spearheaded by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (MORPPO) led to the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect, identified as “JR,” in Sitio Calatrava, Barangay Cogon, Balingasag. Authorities seized eight sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 60 grams, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PhP408,000.00.
Second Operation: Bukidnon
Just over two hours later, at 3:36 PM, personnel from the Malaybalay City Police Station (CPS), the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of Bukidnon, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 10 conducted another buy-bust operation in Purok 5, Barangay 9, Malaybalay City. This operation resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old suspect known as “Eddie,” identified as a Top 7 Regional and Top 1 Provincial High-Value Individual (HVI). Law enforcers recovered seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 40.074 grams, valued at PhP272,500.00, alongside a PhP500.00 marked bill.
Third Operation: Iligan City
The final operation took place at around 11:24 PM in Purok 6, Barangay Pala-o, Iligan City. Personnel from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU-10), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU-10), and Police Station 5 of the Iligan City Police Office (PS-5 ICPO) arrested three suspects: “JB” (36), “Jerry” (32), and “Jun-jun” (42). Seized during this operation were 26 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 65 grams, with an estimated SDP of PhP442,000.00, and a PhP1,000.00 marked bill.
Legal Proceedings and Commendation
The five suspects are now in the custody of their respective police stations: Balingasag MPS, Malaybalay CPS, and PS-5 ICPO. They will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Regional Director PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman commended the law enforcement units involved in the successful operations. “These arrests highlight the relentless efforts of PRO10 to rid our communities of illegal drugs. We will never stop in our campaigns until all offenders are placed behind bars. I urge everyone to continue supporting our efforts to attain a safer and drug-free region,” he said.
These recent achievements reaffirm PRO10’s steadfast commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining the rule of law in Northern Mindanao.