DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Police authorities in Negros Oriental delivered a significant blow to the illegal drug trade last month, seizing over PHP1.2 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, and apprehending 45 individuals in a series of intensive operations across the province. The coordinated effort underscores a persistent campaign by local law enforcement against narcotics, confronting a trade that continues to plague communities despite ongoing government initiatives.
The sweeping operations, totaling 42 anti-illegal drug missions throughout February, led to the capture of a mix of high-value individuals and street-level operatives. Captain Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), highlighted the accomplishment during a recent press conference, attributing the success to the province's "relentless campaign against illegal drugs." Of those arrested, five were identified as high-value targets in the drug network, while 40 were classified as street-level individuals involved in the possession and selling of illicit substances.
This concentrated effort in February is indicative of a broader, sustained drive by law enforcement agencies in Negros Oriental to dismantle drug syndicates and curb the flow of narcotics. Beyond drug enforcement, the NOrPPO's multifaceted approach also saw significant action against other forms of criminality. During the same period, a campaign targeting loose firearms resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the recovery or confiscation of 55 firearms. Furthermore, 94 police operations against wanted persons led to the apprehension of 35 individuals on the most wanted list, alongside 59 other fugitives. These concurrent operations reflect a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and order across the province.
The provincial police's February triumph adds to a larger narrative of escalating drug seizures and arrests in the region. In 2025, for instance, Negros Oriental police confiscated over PHP143 million worth of suspected shabu across 516 operations, leading to the arrest of 541 individuals, including 66 high-value targets. Captain Polinar previously noted a concerning trend in 2025, where shabu was increasingly being distributed in larger quantities, indicating a robust demand and sophisticated supply chains. Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, consistently registers the highest number of arrests and volume of drugs seized, underscoring its pivotal role in the regional drug trade.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) provides further context to the challenging landscape. According to a report from a Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on February 4, 2026, Dumaguete City remains a critical transshipment point for illegal drugs, utilizing its seaports and airport to facilitate movement to and from the Visayas and Mindanao. Intelligence Agent Aline Deposoy of PDEA revealed that shabu remains the most prevalent illegal drug in the region, with the majority of its supply originating from Mindanao, and significant quantities also flowing from Cebu and Manila. This geographic vulnerability necessitates constant vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.
Despite these challenges, concerted efforts have yielded measurable progress in drug clearing operations at the barangay level. PDEA has reported that 284 out of the 557 barangays in Negros Oriental have been cleared of drugs, with 53 barangays declared entirely drug-free in the latter half of 2025. These "drug-cleared" barangays are areas that were previously affected but have undergone rigorous processes to remove all illegal drug elements, while "drug-free" barangays have never recorded drug activities. The overall drug affectation rate in the province currently stands at 39.50 percent, meaning 220 barangays are still contending with the presence of illicit substances.
Regionally, the fight against illegal drugs in Central Visayas, which includes Negros Oriental, has shown promising declines in drug affectation. The PDEA Region 7 recently reported a substantial reduction in drug affectation across the region, dropping from 96.14 percent in 2017 to 28.5 percent in 2026. This broader trend indicates that while localized challenges persist, the cumulative impact of intensified law enforcement and community-based interventions is gradually yielding results across the Visayas.
The sustained pressure from law enforcement, as exemplified by the February operations in Negros Oriental, is crucial in disrupting the supply chain and deterring drug-related criminal activities. The collaboration between the Philippine National Police and the PDEA, along with the engagement of local government units through initiatives like Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs), forms the backbone of this multi-pronged approach. Yet, the persistent seizures of significant quantities of shabu and the continuous stream of arrests highlight the deeply entrenched nature of the illegal drug problem.
Moving forward, authorities emphasize the need for continued public cooperation and inter-agency synergy to further diminish the drug trade's reach. The February success, while commendable, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against narcotics that demands unwavering commitment and adaptive strategies to safeguard communities and secure a drug-free future for Negros Oriental. The collective efforts aim not only to apprehend offenders but also to address the root causes and societal impacts of illegal drug use, fostering an environment where communities can thrive free from the menace of addiction and crime.