45-yr-old farmer arrested in Pinukpuk drug raid; Shabu, .45-caliber bullets seized

PINUKPUK, Kalinga — A 43-year-old farmer was arrested after police seized suspected shabu worth ₱8,908 and nine live rounds of caliber .45 ammunition during the implementation of two search warrants in Barangay Wagud, Pinukpuk, on Tuesday morning, October 13.

The suspect, identified as Ronnie Gongob Dangiwan, a resident of the barangay, was arrested during an operation conducted from 5:40 a.m. to 11 a.m. by joint operatives led by the Pinukpuk Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Police said the operation was carried out with the cooperation of the community and involved personnel from the 1503rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15-PROCAR, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and Provincial Intelligence Unit, the 1st Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Provincial Intelligence Team of the Regional Intelligence Unit 14, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Kalinga.

The operatives implemented Search Warrants Nos. 09-2026 and 10-2026, issued by Judge Jerson E. Angog of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Authorities confiscated two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 1.31 grams in total, along with 22 small plastic sachets containing suspected drug residues. Police placed the standard drug price of the seized suspected shabu at ₱8,908.

Nine live rounds of caliber .45 ammunition were also recovered in connection with the search for alleged violations of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The operation also yielded aluminum foil, a small blade, two lighters, a cigarette pack, a black mask, and a Vicks inhaler.

The search, marking, and inventory of the seized items were conducted at the scene in the presence of the arrested suspect, his live-in partner, Mary Ladilyn Tugao Nepomuceno, and witnesses, including Barangay Captain Alberto Dawaton of Wagud and Department of Justice–National Prosecution Service representative Kelvin Wesh Owek, police said.

The suspect and confiscated evidence were to be brought to the Pinukpuk MPS for documentation before the suspect’s presentation to the issuing court and the turnover of the evidence to the Kalinga Police Provincial Office Forensic Unit. Two body-worn cameras were used during the operation.

PCPT Balanay of the Pinukpuk MPS thanked residents for their trust and cooperation, saying police would continue operations against illegal drugs and loose firearms.

“We are grateful to the community for their trust and cooperation. We will keep going after illegal drugs and loose firearms so every family in Pinukpuk can live safely and in peace,” Balanay said.

The Pinukpuk MPS urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The initial police reports did not specify the formal charges to be filed against the suspect. The suspected drugs remain subject to forensic examination.