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Troops Nab Two Chinese Nationals As Shabu Haul In Mindoro Grows
Photo credit: 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army
Government troops have arrested two Chinese nationals and recovered more packs of suspected shabu during follow-up pursuit operations linked to the massive drug haul recently discovered along the coast of Occidental Mindoro.
The arrests were carried out on Wednesday, March 11, by soldiers under the 203rd Infantry Brigade during continuing operations after authorities earlier found dozens of sacks of illegal drugs abandoned near the shoreline.
According to military reports, troops from the 76th Infantry Battalion launched follow-up operations to track down individuals possibly involved in the attempted smuggling activity. Their efforts led to the capture of the two foreign nationals believed to be connected to the incident.
The pursuit operations began after authorities discovered 43 sacks of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, from an abandoned speedboat found along the coastline of Occidental Mindoro on March 10.
Initial findings from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency estimate the seized illegal drugs to weigh around 860 kilograms, with a staggering street value of about ₱5.8 billion, pending laboratory confirmation and official inventory.
But the discovery didn’t stop there.
During continued search operations in the area, soldiers also recovered 30 additional packs of suspected shabu, each estimated to weigh about one kilogram. Authorities believe these packs are part of the same smuggling attempt, potentially pushing the total volume and value of the seized drugs even higher.
Earlier that same day, troops also apprehended two Filipino men from Nasugbu, Batangas who arrived in the area aboard a twin-engine rubber boat. According to their statements, they were allegedly hired by someone they believed to be the owner of the grounded vessel to search for and rescue the two missing Chinese nationals.
All four individuals were later turned over to law enforcement authorities for proper investigation and legal processing.
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the arrests highlight the importance of sustained military operations and strong coordination with other agencies in cracking down on criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, stressed that continued vigilance and cooperation among government agencies are crucial in fighting transnational crimes such as large-scale drug smuggling.
Security operations are still ongoing in the area as troops work to ensure that no additional illegal drugs make their way into nearby communities.
The arrests were carried out on Wednesday, March 11, by soldiers under the 203rd Infantry Brigade during continuing operations after authorities earlier found dozens of sacks of illegal drugs abandoned near the shoreline.
According to military reports, troops from the 76th Infantry Battalion launched follow-up operations to track down individuals possibly involved in the attempted smuggling activity. Their efforts led to the capture of the two foreign nationals believed to be connected to the incident.
The pursuit operations began after authorities discovered 43 sacks of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, from an abandoned speedboat found along the coastline of Occidental Mindoro on March 10.
Initial findings from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency estimate the seized illegal drugs to weigh around 860 kilograms, with a staggering street value of about ₱5.8 billion, pending laboratory confirmation and official inventory.
But the discovery didn’t stop there.
During continued search operations in the area, soldiers also recovered 30 additional packs of suspected shabu, each estimated to weigh about one kilogram. Authorities believe these packs are part of the same smuggling attempt, potentially pushing the total volume and value of the seized drugs even higher.
Earlier that same day, troops also apprehended two Filipino men from Nasugbu, Batangas who arrived in the area aboard a twin-engine rubber boat. According to their statements, they were allegedly hired by someone they believed to be the owner of the grounded vessel to search for and rescue the two missing Chinese nationals.
All four individuals were later turned over to law enforcement authorities for proper investigation and legal processing.
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the arrests highlight the importance of sustained military operations and strong coordination with other agencies in cracking down on criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, stressed that continued vigilance and cooperation among government agencies are crucial in fighting transnational crimes such as large-scale drug smuggling.
Security operations are still ongoing in the area as troops work to ensure that no additional illegal drugs make their way into nearby communities.
Mar 12, 2026
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