MARIVELES, Bataan — Ten sacks of suspected shabu worth P1.5 billion were recovered by fishermen off the coast of Zambales and surrendered Monday afternoon to the Mariveles police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), authorities said.

Col. Marites A. Salvadora, police directress, reported that the large haul of shabu was discovered by fishermen floating along the high seas of West Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales, at about 5:30 p.m. on May 29, 2025.

"We have turned over the 10 sacks of shabu already this afternoon to the PDEA for proper disposition. We are certain that these are shabu although it will be subjected to further laboratory test," Col. Salvadora told this writer.

Col. Salvadora, together with PDEA agents and members of the Philippine Coast Guard, personally inspected the shabu.

Lt. Col. Dennis Orbista, chief of police in Mariveles, said it takes three days to travel by sea from Bajo de Masinloc to Mariveles.

Initial investigation by the police revealed that, based on the narration of Dennis Sumayo, they were onboard the Clydie Claire fishing boat and were sailing on the seawaters of West Bajo de Masinloc at about 5:30 p.m. on May 29, 2025, when his crew spotted the floating sacks.

The fishermen approached the sacks, initially believing they contained food packs.

They gathered the sacks and, upon opening the packaging, discovered that it contained suspected shabu.

They immediately brought the sacks to the coastal waters of Brgy. Sisiman, Mariveles, arriving at about 2:00 p.m. on 1 June 2025.

Col. Salvadora said that on 2 June 2025, at about 8:00 a.m., the fishermen reported the discovery to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Mariveles Sub-Station, which subsequently coordinated with the Mariveles police.

After an inventory, witnessed by a DOJ representative, a media representative, and an elected official, the ten sacks were properly turned over to the PDEA.

Salvadora said the shabu weighs more or less 222 kilos, with a total market value of P1.509 billion.

The confiscated sacks of shabu were turned over to the PDEA Bataan Provincial Office for proper disposition.