By Priam Nepomuceno

SUSPECTED ILLEGAL DRUGS. Some of the 43 sacks containing suspected shabu discovered by 2nd Infantry Division troops in Sitio Agbalite, Barangay Harrison, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday (March 10, 2026). These were stowed in a grounded speedboat and estimated to weigh around 876 kilograms. (Photo courtesy of the 2nd ID)

MANILA – The Philippine Army on Wednesday said it has recovered 43 sacks of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) weighing around 876 kilograms and worth an estimated PHP5.95 billion from a twin speedboat that ran aground in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

In an interview with reporters, Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, said troopers from the 76th Infantry Battalion learned of the incident around 3 p.m. Tuesday when Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit and military personnel from their patrol base in Pinagbayanan received word from a concerned citizen regarding the grounded watercraft in Sitio Agbalite, Barangay Harrison.

He said two persons were seen running away from the speedboat upon spotting the responding soldiers.

“Hindi na namin naano yung itsura ano, pero tumakbo. Siguro they operate the speedboat. Sguro nagka-aksidente kasi nung dumating yung tropa, nakasadsad na (We didn’t get to see how they looked like since they ran away. Maybe, they were the ones operating the speedboat. They probably got into an accident because the speedboat was already grounded when we arrived) and we saw what looked like crystalline substance,” Zagala said.

The two fleeing men, who turned out to be Chinese nationals, were later arrested in the same town while trying to get a boat for their escape.

“We don’t have their identities. What we will be doing is we’ll just turn them over to the police which will do the investigation,” Zagala said.

Aside from the 43 sacks of suspected shabu, also recovered from the grounded speedboat were one Starlink communication device, eight hand flares (bengala), three fire extinguishers, four batteries, two life jackets and two lifebuoys.

He said based on pictures sent to them, the substance looked like shabu though they are leaving it to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a confirmatory examination.

Zagala said they are transporting the suspected illegal drugs to Abra de Ilog then to the headquarters of the 76th Infantry Battalion for turnover to the PNP. (PNA)