A man facing serious drug charges was taken into custody in Tacloban City on June 10, 2026, after combined military and police units served a court-issued arrest warrant with no bail recommended — underscoring the continued role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in supporting civilian law enforcement against illegal drugs.
The 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, based at Camp Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar, identified the arrested individual as Achilles Ubas y Perpenial, also known by the alias "Aki." According to the 8ID statement, Ubas was apprehended at Barangay 25, Paterno Extension, Tacloban City, by personnel from the Tacloban City Mobile Force Company (TCMFC) in coordination with Task Group Tacloban.
Court Warrant Covers Wide Range of Drug Violations
The warrant used to effect the arrest was issued on April 26, 2026, by Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in Tacloban City. It cited violations of Republic Act 9165, commonly known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 — the primary Philippine statute governing offenses related to illegal narcotics.
The charges enumerated in the warrant were broad in scope, covering the alleged sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, the 8th Infantry Division said in its official announcement. The absence of a recommended bail amount reflects the gravity of the offenses cited against the accused.
Following his arrest, Ubas was turned over to the proper authorities for documentation and processing. He is now subject to judicial proceedings before the Regional Trial Court of Tacloban City under the applicable provisions of RA 9165. No further details regarding the specific substances involved in the case, or any co-accused individuals, were disclosed in the military's statement as of the time of reporting.
Army's 8ID and PNP Conduct Operation Under Joint Framework
The operation was carried out under a joint law enforcement framework that brought together elements of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police. According to the 8ID Public Affairs Office, such cooperation between the AFP and PNP is a continuing arrangement aimed at addressing both criminal threats and maintaining public order in communities across Eastern Visayas.
The 8ID noted that the successful arrest highlights the importance of sustained military-police partnerships, particularly in urban centers that have already been cleared of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) influence. In these areas, the military shifts toward a support role for conventional law enforcement rather than direct counterinsurgency operations.
The division also emphasized that security in Eastern Visayas is addressed on two fronts simultaneously — managing residual CTG threats in conflict-affected areas while reinforcing anti-criminality efforts in more stable, urbanized communities like Tacloban City.
8ID Affirms Broader Mandate in Public Safety
Alongside the arrest announcement, the 8th Infantry Division released a formal statement reaffirming that the military's responsibilities extend well beyond conventional combat and counterinsurgency missions.
"Peace and security are not measured solely by the absence of armed conflict. They are sustained through the rule of law, strong institutions, and the collective efforts of security forces in protecting communities from all forms of threats, including criminality and illegal drugs. The Armed Forces remains committed to supporting our law enforcement partners in ensuring safe, secure, and resilient communities throughout Eastern Visayas," the Division said in its official statement.
The 8ID further committed to ongoing inter-agency cooperation designed to protect what it described as the "gains of peace and development" across the region, while also strengthening the capacity of communities to remain safe and secure.
Eastern Visayas: A Region Balancing Security on Multiple Fronts
Eastern Visayas comprises six provinces — Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran — and has historically required security forces to manage both armed insurgency threats and conventional criminal activity in parallel.
The 8th Infantry Division, headquartered at Camp Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar, holds primary responsibility for Philippine Army operations throughout the region. Its mandate spans a diverse range of security environments, from conflict zones with active CTG presence to urban areas like Tacloban City, where law enforcement takes precedence over military operations.
Tacloban City serves as both the regional capital of Eastern Visayas and the provincial capital of Leyte. As one of the largest urban centers in the Visayas, it functions as a hub for regional government, commerce, and administration. Law enforcement operations in the city are typically led by the PNP, with the military lending support through joint operations when necessary, as seen in the arrest of Ubas.
Operation Fits Into National Anti-Drug Campaign
The arrest of Ubas is consistent with a broader national directive under which the AFP and PNP collaborate on law enforcement activities, with a particular focus on dismantling drug networks and serving outstanding warrants against suspected drug personalities.
The Philippine government has maintained the campaign against illegal drugs as a sustained national priority. Inter-agency operations — wherein military units support the police in executing court-issued warrants — have become a key component of this campaign across multiple regions of the country.
According to the 8ID Public Affairs Office, authorities remain firmly committed to upholding the rule of law through continuous collaboration among the AFP, the PNP, local government units, and community stakeholders. The division expressed its goal of building communities that are resilient against violence, criminality, and other threats to public order throughout Eastern Visayas.
No additional suspects or co-accused individuals were named in connection with the case against Ubas as of the military's latest announcement. The case will proceed through the standard judicial process before Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in Tacloban City.
Photo credit: 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army
Source: Originally reported by Breaking News Negros Oriental (breakingnewsnegor.com)