Cebu City: The local government of Cebu City has commended the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for its recent major drug bust, which resulted in the seizure of PHP170 million worth of suspected shabu at Pier 4 last Thursday. Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, during the Cebu City Hall's flag-raising ceremony on Monday, lauded PDEA's efforts and congratulated the agency's regional director, Alex Tablate, for the successful operation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the mayor specifically praised the role of 'Bayani,' the K9 dog that detected the large packs of suspected shabu hidden inside a vehicle aboard a Roll-on Roll-off vessel from Masbate. Mayor Garcia emphasized the city's commitment to supporting PDEA's efforts, stating, "Cebu City government will continue to support all of your efforts financially morally, and (for your) equipment. What you need, let us know. We will support you with your operations."

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, director of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, credited the operation's success to intelligence-driven efforts. The apprehended suspects, a 41-year-old truck driver and his 63-year-old mother, were caught transporting 25 kilos of shabu inside a red sedan.

The operation was carried out with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies, including the Naval Forces Central, PNP Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu Port Authority Police, Bureau of Customs, and Cebu City Police Office's Police Station 4.