A joint maritime operation recovered 36 kilos of suspected cocaine in the coastal waters off Puerto Princesa City in Palawan last Saturday.
The cocaine bricks, packed in two sacks and valued at P56 million, were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Palawan office.
According to reports, the contraband was recovered by the crew of BRP Ladislao Diwa, one of the naval assets under the western command, while conducting maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting Philippine National Police chief, said investigators are coordinating with PDEA in tracing both the source and receiver of the illegal drug.
Local fishermen first discovered the cocaine floating off Barangay Bahile and alerted authorities of its presence.