Grade 9 Student With 30 Grams of Suspected Shabu Caught in School

Approximately 30 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PHP 204,000.00 were recovered from a minor during a routine security inspection at a High School in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City on July 20, 2026.

Based on the report, a school security guard conducting a routine inspection at the school’s exit gate noticed suspicious items inside the student’s bag and subsequently recovered two (2) knot-tied plastic sachets containing suspected shabu. The incident was immediately reported to Police Station 3, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), which promptly responded to the scene together with personnel from the City Intelligence Unit (CIU).

In compliance with Republic Act No. 9344, as amended, the identity of the minor is being withheld. The child was taken into protective custody and will be endorsed to the appropriate Social Development Center (SDC) for proper intervention and disposition in accordance with existing laws and procedures governing Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

The recovered suspected illegal drugs were properly inventoried and will be submitted to the appropriate forensic laboratory for qualitative examination. Meanwhile, investigators are conducting a thorough follow-up investigation to determine the source of the illegal drugs and ascertain whether the minor may have been exploited or used by individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking.

Regional Director, PBGen. Romano V. Cardiño, emphasized that the incident underscores the importance of strong collaboration among schools, parents, communities, and law enforcement agencies in protecting the youth from the influence of illegal drugs.

“Our schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development. This incident highlights the vital role of school security personnel and the importance of remaining vigilant. We assure the public that PRO NIR will continue to intensify anti-illegal drug operations while ensuring that children involved in such incidents are treated in accordance with the law, with due consideration for their rights, welfare, and rehabilitation.”

PRO NIR likewise encourages the public to immediately report any information regarding illegal drug activities through the nearest police station or the SAFE NIR Dial 911 emergency hotline as part of the continuing campaign to keep communities and educational institutions safe from illegal drugs.* (PRO NIR)