2 drug suspects nabbed in Cordillera raids

BAGUIO CITY — Two regional drug watchlist personalities were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Baguio City and Mountain Province, yielding more than P81,000 worth of suspected shabu and an unlicensed firearm, authorities reported.

In Baguio City, operatives arrested a 26-year-old suspect known as “Buboy” during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Guisad Central on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

The suspect, a resident of Barangay Irisan, was arrested after allegedly selling methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, to an undercover agent.

Laboratory analysis confirmed that the seized sachets contained 2.7259 grams of shabu valued at approximately P18,536. Authorities also recovered drug paraphernalia.

The operation was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera, in coordination with its Abra, Baguio City and Benguet offices, the Regional Special Enforcement Team-Bravo and Baguio City Police Station 2.

The suspect remains in PDEA custody and faces charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, a separate operation in Sitio Masablang, Barangay Bantay, Paracelis, Mountain Province, on 15 October resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old regional drug watchlist personality.

PDEA Director III Edgar Jubay said authorities implemented a court-issued search warrant targeting the suspect's vehicle.

Operatives recovered six plastic sachets containing approximately 9.33 grams of suspected shabu worth P63,444, along with drug paraphernalia, a .45-caliber handgun and ammunition concealed inside the vehicle.

The operation was conducted by the PDEA Mountain Province Provincial Office, in coordination with the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, Paracelis Municipal Police Station and the 2nd Mountain Province Mobile Force Company.

Authorities are preparing charges against the suspect for violations of RA 9165 and RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.