Eight fishermen from Subic, Zambales surrendered approximately P12 million pesos worth of suspected methamphetamine (or shabu) to authorities on Monday night, after discovering the drugs floating near Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Zambales Provincial Office, in collaboration with the Subic Municipal Police Station and PDEU Zambales, facilitated the handover of the illegal substances at the Matain Barangay Hall.

PDEA Zambales Provincial Officer Agent Jigger B. Juniller noted that the incident resulted from the agency’s intensive campaign and collective efforts with other law enforcement agencies in combating illegal drugs.

Zambales Police Provincial Director P/Col. Ricardo S. Pangan Jr. praised the fishermen for their honesty and responsible citizenship.

The group, led by boat captain Jayson Ausejo, 53, of Matain, Subic, included crew members Jay Lenares, Henry Flores, Artur Bautista, Raffy Villar, John Albert Carles, Danilo Acosta, and Jinggoy Estrada from various barangays in Subic and Mariveles, Bataan.

According to Ausejo, the crew noticed plastic bags floating in the sea about 90 nautical miles off Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro while returning from a fishing trip.

Upon inspection, they discovered 11 plastic bags containing the suspected illegal substance.

PDEA Zambales reported that after proper inventory, the evidence was transferred to PDEA Regional Office 3 for further examination.

The seized drugs, weighing a total of 1,800 grams (1.8 kilos), have an estimated market value of P12,240,000 pesos.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the origin and intended destination of the illegal narcotics.