Surigao fisherman surrenders P116.6-million cocaine bricks

MANILA, Philippines — At least 22 kilos of cocaine bricks with an estimated value of P116.6 million have been recovered in Lingig, Surigao del Sur.

Citing a report of the Caraga police, Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said fisherman Jolan Pucot, 25, turned over the illegal drugs in the past two days.

Banac said Pucot surrendered 20 kilos of cocaine valued at P106 million at a police station in Barangay Poblacion at around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The fisherman turned over two more kilos worth P10.6 million to officials of Barangay Handamayan at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency had earlier said a kilo of cocaine is worth P5.3 million.

Pucot told police he found the cocaine bricks along the shore.

Banac commended Pucot for turning over the illegal drugs to authorities.

“We... encourage the public to... immediately turn over... suspected bricks of cocaine they found floating or washed ashore in their village or fishing community,” he said in a text message.

The Caraga police has recovered 209.16 kilos of cocaine worth P1.1 billion since Jan. 13.

Brig. Gen. Gilbert Cruz, Caraga police director, commended fishermen who heeded their call not to keep illegal drugs fished out from the sea.

6 killed in Central Luzon drug busts

Meanwhile, six alleged drug pushers were killed in stings in Central Luzon in the past two days. 

Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, Central Luzon police director, said Ricardo Miranda, 43, and Rolly Quiambao engaged anti-narcotics agents in a shootout in Barangay Nagsabaran, San Clemente, Tarlac;  Sherwin Samson and his unidentified cohort in San Vicente, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, and Rogelio Dinglasan in Lakandula, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Monday.

Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said  Jeffrey Jugado shot it out with police officers in Barangay San Jose, Baliwag  at around 3 a.m. yesterday.

Sachets of shabu, marked money and guns were reportedly recovered from the fatalities.

In South Cotabato, more than 10,000 marijuana plants were uprooted in Barangay Danlag, Tampakan.

Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzalez, Soccsksargen police spokesman, said the marijuana plantation was in an area where there is a strong presence of communist guerrillas.

Aside from extorting money from residents, Gonzalez said New People’s Army rebels in the hinterlands of South Cotabato and Davao del Sur plant marijuana to raise funds.  – With Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, John Unson