By Darryl John Esguerra

FLOATING COCAINE. A Philippine Navy personnel inspects the recovered floating sacks containing 36 bricks of suspected cocaine worth over PHP214 million off the coast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Saturday (Oct. 11, 2025). The seized items have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Photo courtesy of Western Naval Command)

MANILA – A Philippine Navy vessel conducting maritime patrol off the West Philippine Sea found PHP214 million worth of suspected cocaine southeast of Piedras Point, within Puerto Princesa, Palawan waters, on Saturday.

The Western Naval Command said BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178) retrieved the two floating sacks and transported them to Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, according to a news release.

The contraband was later confirmed to have fallen off a local fishing boat.

The illegal drugs were turned over to the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-West, then to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for testing and proper disposition.

The recovery was made during a routine maritime and sovereignty patrol, part of intensified efforts to safeguard Philippine maritime borders against illegal activities. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)