Following the stern directives of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as encapsulated in his 7-Point Agenda, the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) has kept on its toes in its fight against illegal drugs across the towns and provinces of the CARAGA region.
At around 2:50 AM, on September 18, 2025, a major drug buy-bust operation was conducted by the Surigao City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the 1st Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, in Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City. The joint operation resulted to the successful arrest of three High-Value Individuals (HVIs) and the confiscation of shabu worth Php3.38 Million.
The arrested suspects were identified only by their aliases: “Benjie,” of Barangay Ipil; “Rodney,” of Barangay Washington; and “Kabaw,” of Barangay Luna, all residents of Surigao City.
During the operation, undercover police operatives transacted with the suspects, leading to their immediate arrest. Seized from their possession were six heat-sealed plastic sachets containing approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of Php3,383,000. Also recovered were several cellular phones believed to have been used in their drug transactions, a sling bag, a digital weighing scale, and twelve pieces of Php1,000 boodle money used as buy-bust payment.
Investigations revealed that the three personalities are repeat drug offenders in the region. Records showed that “Benjie” was first arrested in 2014 for a drug-related case, while “Rodney” and “Kabaw” were apprehended in 2016 for similar offenses. They were eventually released after serving their respective sentences, but police intelligence indicated that they had resumed their illegal trade, prompting the surveillance and eventual operation that led to their latest arrest.
Police Brigadier General Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV, Regional Director of PRO 13, commended the operating units for their successful operation, stressing that the arrest of the suspects sends a clear message to other drug personalities lurking in the region.
“Taking these dangerous drugs and repeat offenders off the streets is a big step toward maintaining peace and order in our communities. This accomplishment demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our police force [in the region] to protect our citizens from the ill effects of illegal drugs,” PBGen Magistrado added.
The suspects were immediately brought to the Surigao City Police Station and will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The confiscated illegal drugs were turned over to the Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for chemical analysis and will serve as evidence in the prosecution of the suspects.
With the arrest of the said HVIs, PRO 13 seeks to sustain its intensified operations, emphasizing that the fight against illegal drugs in the region is far from over. Rather, a head start of a relentless pursuit of drug-offenders until the communities are safe from the scourge of this menace.
The Nation’s Peacekeeper however urges the public to continue cooperating with the authorities by reporting all suspicious drug-related activities in their communities. PNP emphasized that community participation is crucial in sustaining the momentum of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
