Philippine Army (PA) personnel recovered 43 sacks of suspected crystal meth or shabu worth P6.8 billion from an abandoned speedboat that ran aground along the coast of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, it was revealed on Wednesday, March 11.

Personnel of the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) personnel from the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion under the 203rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Brigade responded after a resident reported a grounded twin-engine speedboat near Sitio Agbalite in Barangay Harrison on Tuesday afternoon, March 10.

Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2ID, said the report reached a nearby patrol base around 3 p.m. that a speedboat had run aground near the shoreline.

A soldier and two CAFGU personnel from the nearby detachment were mobilized to verify the report. Upon arrival, the troops saw the speedboat stuck near the coast and villagers had gathered around the area.

“When they searched the speedboat, that’s what they saw. When they got closer, there were 43 sacks, maybe about 2,200 kilos, that looked like a crystalline substance,” he said.

The troops also recovered one Starlink communication device, eight hand flares or bengala, three fire extinguishers, four batteries, two life jackets, and two lifebuoys from the speedboat.

Zagala said two foreign-looking men were seen near the vessel before they fled when troops arrived. He said the men may have been operating the boat.

“I think they were Chinese-looking but that still has to be determined,” he stated.

Zagala said rough sea conditions may have caused the boat to run aground. Transporting the recovered sacks back to mainland also took time because the area can only be reached by boat.

The items were initially secured by the military before authorities coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The suspected drugs were later transported to Abra de Ilog for turnover to authorities. From there, the sacks will be brought to the headquarters of the 76th Infantry Battalion where police investigators will take custody.

Zagala said the military only responded to the report and will leave the investigation and verification of the suspected shabu to law enforcement agencies.

Still, he said the incident shows the cooperation among security agencies and communities.

“Well, you know, what I can say is of course we are partners with the PNP. This operation reflects the strong partnership between the AFP, the PNP, the PDEA, and of course the Coast Guard,” the general said.

He also credited residents who alerted authorities about the grounded boat.

“We are very thankful that they reported the grounding. We have the trust and confidence of the community, and they reported it,” Zagala said.