OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Military and law enforcement officials reported on Wednesday the capture of two Chinese nationals and the seizure of high-grade “shabu” (crystal meth) worth approximately P5.8 billion following a tip from a local resident.
The operation began on Tuesday afternoon when a resident of Sitio Agbalete in Barangay Harrison, Paluan, reported that a twin-engine speedboat had run aground. Army troops from the 2nd Infantry Division and civilian militia discovered 43 sacks on the vessel containing a white crystalline substance. Subsequent testing by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the cargo as 876 kilograms of high-grade shabu.
The two suspects initially fled into a nearby forested area but were apprehended the following day in the town proper of Paluan. While their nationalities have been confirmed as Chinese, their specific identities are still being verified.
Authorities also recovered various equipment from the speedboat, including a Starlink satellite communication device, mobile phones, and life-saving gear. Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, emphasized that the successful seizure highlights the critical role of community cooperation in national security and law enforcement.
The suspects have been turned over to the PNP for further investigation, and search operations are ongoing to determine if there were other accomplices involved in the transport of the illegal drugs.