The relentless campaign of Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) against illegal drugs in Central Visayas was lauded by Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), following the one-day operations conducted on September 22, 2025 that led to the confiscation of an estimated Php18.3 Million worth of shabu.
In a span of 24 hours, 14 anti-drug operations in Mandaue City and Tagbilaran resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects and the seizure of 2,697.56 grams of shabu.
One of the highlights was the arrest of a big-time drug personality in a buy-bust operation along Aboitiz Street, Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City. The joint effort of the City Intelligence Unit, City Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit 7, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 7–Regional Special Enforcement Team Mandaue City Office led to the confiscation of around 1,600 grams of shabu with an estimated value of Php10.8 Million. As of this writing, the suspect is detained at Police Station 2 Mandaue City Police Office (CPO), while the evidence has been submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit 7 for examination.
In another major operation, the Tagbilaran City Police Station and the Bohol Police Provincial Office apprehended two suspects in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City. Authorities seized about 910 grams of shabu worth Php6.18 Million, a firearm, ammunition, a motorcycle, buy-bust money, and other paraphernalia. The suspects remain in police custody, and the evidence has been turned over to the Bohol Provincial Forensic Unit.
Police Brigadier General Redrico A. Maranan, PRO7 Regional Director, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to sustain the campaign against illegal drugs. “In strict adherence to the marching orders of the Acting PNP Chief, Police Regional Office 7 under my leadership will sustain intensified anti-drug operations with uncompromising resolve, ensuring that every syndicate, courier, and pusher is relentlessly pursued and held accountable under the full force of the law,” he said.
PLtGen Nartatez commended PRO7 for its swift and coordinated actions, saying: “Hindi lang ito simpleng tagumpay ng pagpapatupad ng batas, ito ay tuwirang tugon sa utos ng Pangulo na buwagin ang mga sindikato ng droga. Pinupuri ko ang ating mga pulis sa Central Visayas na muling nagpatunay: hindi titigil ang PNP sa pagtatanggol sa bayan laban sa salot ng ilegal na droga.”
All 16 suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The successful series of operations reaffirms PNP’s commitment to fully implement the anti-illegal drug campaigns, ensuring that communities remain protected and offenders are brought to justice under the rule of law.
