Cotabato City—In a decisive move against illegal drugs, operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Maguindanao Provincial Office, in collaboration with the Maguindanao Maritime Police Station, City Mobile Force Company, and Cotabato City Public Safety Office, successfully dismantled a drug den and apprehended five individuals during a buy-bust operation on March 1, 2025, at Purok Ulandangan 2, Poblacion Mother, Cotabato City.
PDEA Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Director Gil Cesario P. Castro confirmed the arrest of five drug personalities, including the alleged drug den maintainer identified as Alyas Datu/Pato, a 42-year-old male. The four other arrested individuals, who were reportedly his patrons, were identified as:
- Alyas Jay (39 years old, male)
- Alyas Inday (34 years old, female)
- Alyas Burloloy (34 years old, male, single)
- Alyas Datu Raf (39 years old, male, married)
The suspects are currently detained at the PDEA BARMM Jail Facility while awaiting inquest proceedings for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities seized 24 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 15 grams with an estimated street value of ₱102,000. Other confiscated items included buy-bust money, various drug paraphernalia, and two mobile phones.
This successful operation highlights PDEA’s unwavering commitment to eliminating illegal drug activities in the city. The agency continues to call on the public to stay vigilant and report any drug-related incidents to authorities, reinforcing efforts to build safer communities.