At least 36 more blocks of shabu were found at sea in Ilocos, this time, off Caoayan and Magsingal in Ilocos Sur.

Like the 24 blocks found in San Juan, Ilocos Norte, the blocks found in Ilocos Sur also have Chinese markings on them.  

A fisherman initially found 18 blocks in a sack off the coast of Barangay Villamar, Caoayan on June 26. He mistook the contents for trash but upon opening the sack, he found blocks wrapped in light blue packaging with Chinese markings.

The fisherman brought the sack to Sta. Maria and reported it to the police.

A few hours later, five more fishermen from Barangay Puro, Magsingal found 18 more blocks placed in a torn sack 42 nautical miles off the coast of Ilocos Norte.

They also reported their find to the police.

The items tested positive for shabu during an on-site test conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"'Di namin inasahan na shabu ang laman kasi naka packing tape… pinaglaruan pa nga namin na pinagbabato," Magdelino Tab, one of the fishermen, said.

Authorities are investigating whether the recent finds belong to the same batch of blocks of shabu found also off San Juan.

"Yung kulay blue, may chinese characters tapos, yung white may markings na 168. Parehas nung mga nakuha dun sa karatig towns natin," PCPT. Rodel Ragasa, Officer-in-Charge of Magsingal Police Station, said.

Meanwhile, 120.3 grams of suspected shabu worth more than P800,000 were seized in a drug buy-bust operation in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified the suspect as a 32-year-old man known for drug activities.

Authorities are investigating the source of the illegal drugs, as of this writing.

The suspect faces charges for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.