DILG: Seized sacks of ‘shabu’ had Vietnamese markings
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) believes an international drug syndicate is behind the P6 billion worth of "shabu" seized in Oriental Mindoro, citing Vietnamese markings on the confiscated sacks and the drugs' high purity.
Philippine authorities seized approximately 43 sacks of shabu (methamphetamine) worth P5.8–P6.18 billion from a speedboat that ran aground in Barangay Harrison, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro (not Oriental Mindoro), on March 10–11, 2026. The sacks bore Vietnamese markings, prompting suspicions of foreign syndicate involvement, though origins remain unconfirmed. The Philippine Army personnel discovered the drugs hidden in the speedboat near Sitio Agbalite, with PDEA confirming 90% purity methamphetamine totaling around 876–906 kilos across 43 sacks. Two Chinese nationals (X Xinghan and Shi) and two Filipinos (Jon Martinez and F Soto Francisco) were arrested while searching for the cargo using a rubber boat, possessing a satellite phone, Star modem, flares, batteries, and safety gear. Authorities are hunting a Chinese woman who rented a house in Batangas since November 2025, bought the boats, and is linked to the suspects who entered the Philippines on March 5, 2026. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla described the group as highly organized, using drones to recover drugs after the boat grounded, and stated the shabu was not Philippine-made due to Vietnamese labels on sacks. PDEA Director Isagani Nerez plans to consult foreign partners to trace origins and pursue conspiracy charges. Remulla suspects Chinese-operated international syndicates, noting Mindoro's repeated targeting, including 5 tons seized in February 2025. Estimates of the drug haul's value vary among agencies, with DILG/PDEA reporting P6 billion, Philstar reporting P6.18 billion (including a separate 30-kilo seizure), PNP reporting P5.8 billion, and ABS-CBN reporting P20 billion as an outlier. Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor requested reviewing international shipping lanes near Mindoro, given the Philippines' long coastline, with this incident tying to prior Central Luzon operations.
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