CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A region’s top drug target went to desperate measures to evade capture on Wednesday, biting a police operative and attempting to swallow suspected shabu during a chaotic buy-bust operation in Barangay Camaman-an.

The 65-year-old suspect, identified as Danilo Macapayag, was apprehended at 3:43 p.m. in Ramonal Village. According to the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU), Macapayag has been listed as the Top 1 Regional Priority Target since November 2024 and has been arrested three times in the past for violating Republic Act No. 9165.

Authorities reported that the suspect initially resisted arrest, shouting for “transparency” and refusing to exit his house despite being handcuffed.

75 grams of suspected shabu and marked money seized during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City.
ARRESTED. A 65-year-old drug suspect was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Ramonal Village, Barangay Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City on March 11 authorities recovered about 75 grams of alleged illegal drugs worth around P510,000. Photos by Shiela Mae Butlig

The situation escalated during a body search when operatives discovered a long black pouch owned by Macapayag containing several sachets of suspected shabu. A scuffle ensued when he attempted to grab and swallow one of the sachets. The struggle resulted in injuries to two police officers—one was bitten on the shoulder, and another sustained a hand injury.

The total confiscated illegal drugs weighed approximately 75 grams, with an estimated street value of P510,000. Items recovered from Macapayag included:

  • A small heat-sealed sachet of suspected shabu (P1,000 buy-bust item)
  • Five small sachets of suspected shabu
  • Three large heat-sealed plastic cellophanes of suspected shabu
  • A Samsung keypad cellphone
  • A black wallet
  • A P1,000 bill used as marked money

Authorities are detaining Macapayag at the Maharlika Detention Facility, while the Regional Forensic Unit-10 tests the seized drugs.

The suspect denied ownership of the items, claiming, “Daghan man adik diha nganong ako may unahon.”

Barangay Councilor Ruel Gamao of Camaman-an said barangay records have long listed the suspect for drug-related offenses.

“Nag mayor pa to siya sa presohan,” he said.

adding that barangay officials had repeatedly warned individuals involved in illegal drug activities.

The operation was conducted jointly by the RPDEU, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 10, and the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.