GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 13 August) — Police in Glan, Sarangani province arrested an elementary school teacher identified as a “high-value individual” in the illegal drug trade on Tuesday. Lieutenant Colonel Jovenson Bayona, chief of the Glan Municipal Police Station (GMPS), identified the suspect as “Dodz,” 43, a resident of Purok Sta. Rita, Barangay Glan Padidu. The suspect was apprehended at 3:28 a.m. in Purok Sanibulad during a buy-bust operation after an undercover operative purchased ₱1,000 worth of suspected shabu from him. Authorities confiscated 3.266 grams of the substance valued at ₱22,200, along with the marked money. Bayona stated that the suspect was classified as a high-value target, a designation for individuals believed to play a significant role in local drug distribution. He expressed concern that students may have purchased from the suspect, given his profession, and emphasized that a deeper investigation would be conducted to identify his buyers. Most transactions reportedly occurred via text or online, with rare face-to-face meetings. The operation involved the GMPS, Sarangani Provincial Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Units (PIU/PDEU), the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1PMFC), the Sarangani Police Provincial Office (SPPO), the Regional Intelligence Division 12 (RID 12), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 12 (PDEA 12). The arrest shocked Glan Padidu residents, where the suspect was primarily known as a teacher. A local resident, CJ, who requested anonymity, expressed worry over the possibility of students being involved. Police are coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 12 to determine if students or colleagues were among the suspect’s alleged buyers. “Dodz” will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which prohibits the sale and possession of illegal drugs. (Guia Rebollido / MindaNews)
