Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Zambales drugs

Bianca Dava

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Philippine Navy has intercepted approximately 1.5 tons of suspected shabu in a maritime operation early morning Friday off the coast of Zambales.The drugs have an estimated street value of P10 billion.  Northern Luzon Naval Command chief Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon said the drugs were discovered aboard a Philippine-registered fishing vessel approximately 50 to 60 nautical miles from the shore. They said this may be one of the largest drug hauls in the history of the Philippine Navy.“The operation was conducted in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and marks one of the largest drug seizures in the Philippine Navy&#x27;s history. The confiscated illegal drugs are currently en route to Naval Operating Base Subic for proper documentation and official turnover to concerned authorities,” said De Sagon.“This successful interdiction underscores the Philippine Navy&#x27;s commitment to safeguarding the country&#x27;s maritime domain, protecting communities from the threat of illegal drugs, and supporting the national government&#x27;s campaign against all prohibited substances.” The Navy deployed two gunboats to conduct a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operation. The crew of the fishing vessel, consisting of several Filipino fishermen and one foreign national, were apprehended. No weapons were found onboard, and the vessel did not attempt to flee but showed signs of non-compliance prior to interception.“We still don&#x27;t have the details where was it or what kind of ship was it transported from... there were information that an instance that made us suspicious of the movement of the fishing vessel,” said De Sagon. Initial reports indicated the vessel appeared suspicious after it broke away from a cluster of other fishing boats, which typically group together in areas with abundant fish. Intelligence pointed to a possible drug transfer from a larger vessel to the smaller fishing boat before the Navy’s arrival. The alleged source vessel had already departed the area.Authorities found no identifying documents on board the fishing boat, which has a typical carrying capacity of four to eight tons. The confiscated shabu was packed in about 50 sacks.The seized drugs are currently being transported to the Naval Operating Base Subic for documentation, processing, and official turnover to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Further interrogation of the crew will take place upon arrival, as investigators seek to determine the extent of the crew’s involvement, whether they were fully aware of their cargo, and if they were recruited under the guise of “easy money”, the military said.“Kung minsan may nagha-hire kasi sa kanila, because of the lure of big money kung minsan pumapayag sila without knowing that they are unknowingly doing illegal things like this. But that&#x27;s just a speculation. We will know the that matter &#x27;pag dumikit na po sila at nakausap na po natin &#x27;yung mga fisherman,” said De Sagon.  “Kasi itong mga mangingisda natin usually mahihirap din talaga ito. So, if they they have a chance to earn more easy money pwede sila talagang magamit ng mga mga syndicate na ito.”The operation followed heightened surveillance in the area, particularly after a similar drug recovery on June 9. Officials have yet to determine if the two incidents are connected.Navy officials said intensified maritime patrols in northern Luzon are now underway, with future operations to be guided by updated threat assessments. The possible deployment of larger naval assets is being considered to ensure a stronger maritime security presence in the region.<div></div>

The Philippine Navy, through the Northern Luzon Naval Command, seized 1.5 tons of suspected shabu worth P10 billion from a fishing vessel off the coast of Zambales at 1:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20.

The Philippine Navy, through the Northern Luzon Naval Command, seized 1.5 tons of suspected shabu worth P10 billion from a fishing vessel off the coast of Zambales at 1:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20.

P10-B suspected shabu seized from fishing vessel off Zambales

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P10-B suspected shabu seized from fishing vessel off Zambales

Bianca Dava,

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2025 09:02 AM PHT

|

Updated June 20, 2025 04:59 PM PHT

Read More:

shabu

zambales

philippine navy

john percie alcos

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