Ex-seaman nabbed with P442K shabu in Cebu City buy-bust
Police arrested a former seaman and seized P442,000 worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation on Thursday afternoon, June 25, 2026, in Sitio Liko-Liko, Barangay Babag, a mountainous area of Cebu City. The suspect was identified as Bobby Gacayan Labitad, 51, a resident of Sitio Lamakan in the same barangay. Recovered from him were 65 grams of suspected shabu.
According to the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG 7), Labitad graduated with a degree in Marine Engineering from a well-known university in Cebu and worked as a marine engineer for many years. However, due to his drug addiction, he lost his job and turned to selling illegal drugs in 2023.
Previous arrest and release
Labitad was previously arrested on January 26, 2024, but was released through plea bargaining. He reportedly resumed his drug business and expanded operations after befriending an inmate in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) who became his supplier. He was selling about 50 grams of shabu weekly in the mountainous areas of Cebu City.
Separate operation in Toledo City
In a separate operation on Friday morning, June 26, 2026, at 7:18 a.m., the Special Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) of Toledo City Police arrested Kent Labrador, alias “Ken-Ken,” 31, unemployed, in Barangay Talavera. Police Lt. Col. Verniño Noserale, chief of the Toledo City Police Station, led the operation. Recovered from Labrador were three packs of shabu weighing 3.31 grams with a value of P22,508.
Both suspects are temporarily detained at their respective police stations while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against them.
