What seemed like an ordinary Tuesday morning turned into a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal drugs, as two 18-year-old female students were arrested in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Eastern Police District–District Drug Enforcement Unit (EPD-DDEU) led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Darwin A. Guerrero, Chief, DDEU-EPD.
The operation took place at around 10:00 AM on May 20, 2025. The suspects, identified only by their aliases “Emma” and “Cristy,” both residents of the said barangay, were caught red-handed with ten large packs of suspected shabu weighing a total of 792.44 grams, with a street value of approximately Php5,390,592 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s standard valuation.
Police Brigadier General Aden T. Lagradante, Eastern Police District Officer-in-Charge, personally went to the operation site and described the arrest as both “critical and concerning.” The two young women, barely out of their teens, have been classified as Newly Identified High-Value Individuals due to the quantity and potential reach of the illegal drugs involved.
“This was a successful operation, but it also breaks our hearts. We are not just seizing drugs—we are seeing the lives of young people being destroyed by this illegal trade. Our mission remains firm: to stop the spread of drugs and protect the youth from falling into these dangerous paths,” said by PBGen Lagradante in a firm and resolute tone.
He also commended the dedication and perseverance of the operating team, noting that the arrest was the result of weeks of careful surveillance and coordination.
As of this writing, the two suspects are under the custody of the Pasig City Police Station and will face charges under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The confiscated evidence has been turned over to the EPD Forensic Unit in Mandaluyong City for examination.
PBGen Lagradante also called on the public to remain vigilant, saying: “Community support is essential. We urge everyone to report suspicious activity and help us keep our neighborhoods safe. Together, we can protect the future of our children.”
