Camiguin vice mayor arrested for alleged shabu possession

Authorities arrested a vice mayor in Camiguin for alleged possession of illegal drugs after they confiscated 15 grams of suspected shabu and firearms inside his house.

According to Jun Veneracion’s Wednesday report on “24 Oras,” the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) nabbed the suspect in his house during an anti-illegal drug operation.

The PDEA did not name the suspect but said the operation was conducted in the town of Guinsiliban.

“Hindi pa naman po natin masasabi na talagang nagbebenta, pero may nakitaan doon sa kanyang bahay, so he is in possession of dangerous drugs,” PDEA spokesperson Joseph Calulut said.

(We cannot yet conclude that he was selling illegal drugs, but evidence was found in his house, indicating possession of dangerous drugs.)

PDEA launched its operation after receiving a call from its hotline, “Isumbng mo sa PDEA,” and applied for a search warrant before the court.

The suspect reportedly did not resist the arrest.

From January to February 2026, PDEA arrested 13 elected officials due to illegal drugs.

Aside from the arrested vice mayor in Camiguin, PDEA is not monitoring any other incumbent local officials.

In 2025, 68 government officials were arrested in connection with illegal drugs, with municipal councilors being the highest-ranking among them.

“This is also a fair warning to our local officials na hindi ho dahil nakaupo sila sa pwesto eh maari na ho silang gumawa ng krimen,” Calulut said.

(This is also a fair warning to our local officials. It does not mean that they are in position, they can commit crimes.)

The public may report illegal drug-related information to the PDEA hotline at 0995 354 7020 or 0931 027 8212. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF. GMA Integrated News