THE National Bureau of Investigation–Cebu District Office (NBI-Cebdo) has rescued a 16-year-old pregnant girl allegedly used to help repackage shabu, while the suspected drug pusher was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Alvin Plando Tabanas, 37, a resident of Sitio Mangga was arrested around 5 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, after an undercover NBI agent successfully purchased 11 small sachets of suspected shabu from him.
A follow-up inspection of the suspect’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 101 small sachets and 14 medium sachets of suspected shabu, bringing the total to 126 sachets with an estimated street value of P243,600.
Authorities were alarmed to find a 16-year-old pregnant girl at the scene, who allegedly assisted in repackaging the illegal drugs.
According to NBI-Cebdo head agent Arnel Pura, the minor was subjected to a drug test and tested positive.
Tabanas is currently detained at the NBI-Cebdo office. He will be charged with multiple charges against him under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared.
These include violations for selling and possessing dangerous drugs, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, and potentially maintaining a drug den.
Child exploitation
Investigators are also eyeing additional charges if it is proven that he exploited a minor during his operations.
The operation was conducted by NBI-Cebdo agents under the supervision of Niño Rodriguez following two weeks of surveillance.
Recovered from the scene were various tools and utensils believed to be used for repackaging the shabu, along with the marked money used by the poseur buyer.
Meanwhile, the rescued minor was immediately referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for protective custody, rehabilitation and further intervention.
The girl denied active involvement in the illegal drug trade and claimed she was only staying in the house after a fight with her boyfriend who, she claimed, was a cousin of the suspect.
Investigators are not ruling out coercion or abuse.
Rodriguez said if evidence would show that she was used to facilitate the drug trade, the case against Tabanas could expand to include child exploitation charges.
The post-operation inventory was witnessed by Department of Justice representative John Ray Visbal, Barangay Tisa Councilors Ma. Sonia Fate Dela Peña and Herbert Diola, and members of the media, in compliance with the chain-of-custody requirements under Republic Act 9165.
Wide network
Authorities said the amount of drugs seized and the presence of repackaging materials suggest a wider distribution network, which the NBI-Cebdo is now working to identify and dismantle.
The buy-bust also raises broader concerns about the vulnerability of minors in drug environments, especially young girls who may be coerced or manipulated by family members or partners.
Rodriguez lamented the human toll of the illegal drug trade, especially when it involves the exploitation of pregnant minors, calling it a tragic reflection of how deeply such operations can affect families and communities.
Meanwhile, authorities were coordinating with the DSWD to ensure the minor receives appropriate care while investigators determine the full extent of her involvement. / Trixcy Shien Cobarde, Benedicto College Intern, Zenn Dee Tejero, CNU Intern.