TACLOBAN CITY — Police in Eastern Visayas arrested two high-value drug suspects while another individual voluntarily surrendered amid intensified anti-illegal drug operations on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said the operations were carried out as part of the continuing campaign of the Philippine National Police to curb illegal drug activities in the region.
In Tacloban City, joint operatives from the city police’s Drug Enforcement Unit and the Regional Special Operations Unit 8 arrested alias “Kerby,” 39, a self-employed resident. Authorities seized four sachets of suspected shabu weighing 2.4 grams, with an estimated value of P16,320.
In a separate buy-bust operation in Guiuan, alias “Mark,” 38, an internet installer, was apprehended by joint elements of the local police, the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Confiscated from him were seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing 1.66 grams, valued at P11,288.
Meanwhile, in Borongan City, alias “Rod,” 42, a government employee, voluntarily surrendered to police following a house-to-house visitation campaign. He executed an affidavit expressing willingness to cooperate and provide information on illegal drug activities.
PRO-8 Regional Director B/Gen Jason Capoy said the operations highlight the dual approach of enforcement and community engagement in addressing the drug problem, emphasizing that authorities will continue to target drug personalities while encouraging voluntary surrender and rehabilitation.
All confiscated items were marked and inventoried in accordance with standard procedures. The arrested suspects are now under police custody and will face charges for violating Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
