A 33-year-old drug suspect was arrested, and more than two kilograms of shabu worth P14.28 million were seized in a buy-bust operation in Ermita, Manila, on Monday, Aug. 31, the Manila Police District (MPD) said.

The MPD identified the suspect as “George,” alias “Kapatid,” a resident of Navotas City.

According to MPD Chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Santiago, the suspect initially conducted a transaction in the southern part of Metro Manila before moving to the Manila area, where MPD Drug Enforcement Unit operatives tracked and arrested him.

Santiago said the operation resulted in the recovery of two kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P14.28 million.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso praised Santiago and the MPD Drug Enforcement Unit operatives for successfully conducting the operation while keeping both the suspect and police personnel safe.

Domagoso said the seizure prevented a large volume of illegal drugs from potentially reaching communities in Manila.

“Wag kami, wag sa Maynila (Don’t mess with us. Not in the city of Manila),” Domagoso said during his “Talk to the People” program at Manila City Hall.

“We are always certain about our policy, we are certain about our rules and we will continue to fulfill our obligation with regard to the peace and order situation of our city,” he added.

Domagoso also warned individuals involved in illegal activities against operating in Manila.

“Kung gusto niyo naman, magbagong buhay na kayo. Call naman kami kung gusto niyo kami subukin sa Maynila (If you want to start a new life, then do so. But if you want to test us in Manila, go ahead),” he said.

He said the city government would continue working with the MPD to prevent illegal drugs from becoming available in the city.

“Sa mga nanay at tatay na nanonood, isa po itong tagumpay ng ating Manila Police District at siyudad ng Maynila na hindi maging available itong mga ipinagbabawal na droga sa lungsod ng Maynila (To the mothers and fathers watching, this is a victory for the Manila Police District and the city of Manila in keeping illegal drugs out of the city),” Domagoso said.

He congratulated Santiago and the MPD Drug Enforcement Unit operatives involved in the drug bust, saying the operation was another step toward keeping large quantities of illegal drugs away from Manila residents.

Domagoso also credited the MPD for continuing its peace and order efforts despite the flooding, bad weather and other challenges faced by the city over the weekend.

“Habang may delubyo, may aberya, tayo’y kinakaharap ang hamon sa kalsada dala ng pagbaha, mga sakit at infection, ang inyong Manila Police District ay hindi po tumitigil upang maipatupad ang kapanatagan ng pamumuhay sa Manila (While there are disasters and difficulties, as we face challenges on the streets brought by flooding, illnesses and infections, your Manila Police District does not stop working to ensure peaceful living in Manila),” he said.

Earlier, Domagoso reminded Manila residents to take precautions amid the prevailing conditions, urging them to wear masks as much as possible and stay indoors whenever possible.

Meanwhile, Domagoso announced the arrest of another wanted person by the MPD at Barangay Malanday in Marikina City.

The suspect was identified as 54-year-old Carlos Castillo, a resident of Tondo, Manila, who had been the subject of a warrant of arrest issued on Jan. 14, 2026.

The arrest was carried out by personnel of MPD Police Station 14 with the assistance of barangay officials in Marikina City.

Domagoso said the case involved a 14-year-old female victim.

He thanked the barangay officials who assisted the police in locating and apprehending Castillo, who had allegedly been hiding for more than a year.

The mayor said Castillo would be brought before the court and that authorities would inform the issuing court about his apprehension.

He also warned individuals who have outstanding warrants against them to surrender rather than continue hiding from authorities.

“Kung kayo’y may mga nagawang krimen o tinakbuhan ng husgado at na-issue ang warrant of arrest, basta payo ko sa inyo sumuko na kayo (If you have committed crimes or evaded the court and a warrant of arrest has been issued against you, my advice is to surrender),” Domagoso said.

He warned that individuals who commit crimes outside Manila and attempt to hide in the city would also not be spared.

“Kung ginawa niyo sa ibang bayan at dito kayo magtatago ay hindi rin kayo welcome (If you committed a crime in another town and come here to hide, you are not welcome here either),” he said.

Domagoso congratulated Santiago, Col. Pura, and the MPD personnel involved in the arrest.

“If you’re a criminal in Manila, kahit saan sulok, lupalok, patkueba pa kayo magpunta, it’s just a matter of time mauhuhuli-mauhuhuli kayo ng Manila Police District (wherever you go, no matter what corner or remote place you hide in, it is just a matter of time before the Manila Police District catches you),” Domagoso said.

The mayor also announced that the MPD received recognition at the regional level for its implementation of local laws and ordinances.

According to Domagoso, the MPD ranked first in the implementation of local ordinances.

He said the recognition reflected the police district’s efforts to enforce local laws in Manila and congratulated Santiago and his personnel for the accomplishment.

“Number one po ang Manila Police District sa implementation ng local ordinances (The Manila Police District is number one in the implementation of local ordinances)," Domagoso said.

He urged the MPD to continue its enforcement efforts and maintain peace and order in the city.

Domagoso said the police district’s work remained important even as Manila dealt with flooding, health concerns and other challenges brought by the recent weather conditions.

“In our own little way, habang may delubyo, may aberya, tayo’y kinakaharap ang hamon sa kalsada dala ng pagbaha, mga sakit at infection, ang inyong Manila Police District ay hindi po tumitigil upang maipatupad ang kapanatagan ng pamumuhay sa Manila (In our own little way, while there are disasters and difficulties, as we face challenges on the streets brought by flooding, illnesses and infections, your Manila Police District does not stop working to ensure peaceful living in Manila),” he said.

He also thanked the families of police personnel for supporting their loved ones who serve in the MPD.

“Sa mga pamilya ng police, I thank you very much sa inyo for supporting your father, your mother or your son for doing a very good job being a member of the Manila Police District (To the families of police officers, I thank you very much for supporting your father, mother or son for doing a very good job as a member of the Manila Police District),” Domagoso said.

He urged Manila residents to remain cautious and safe as the city continues to face the effects of the recent weather disturbances.

“Mag-iingat po kayo at pagpalainawa kayo ng buong may kapal. Maraming salamat po. Manila, God first! (Please stay safe and may God bless you all. Thank you very much. Manila, God first!).” Domagoso said. (Shane Quiachon)