THE PROCEDURAL BATTLEGROUND: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTI-NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT AND EVIDENTIARY STANDARDS IN THE DAVAO REGION

This research investigates the evolution of illegal drug enforcement in the Davao Region for the year 2026. It highlights a profound shift from traditional street-level buy-bust operations to "Border Interdiction" and "Cyber-Forensics" to combat digital distribution networks. The study focuses on the legal struggle surrounding Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, exploring how the Regional Trial Courts in Davao City have transitioned toward a "Procedural Absolute" stance. This research argues that the integrity of the corpus delicti is now the primary determinant of judicial outcomes, often superseding the gravity of the offense. The paper concludes that for law enforcement in the Davao Region to remain effective, they must bridge the gap between aggressive operational goals and the rigorous "Chain of Custody" requirements established by recent Supreme Court jurisprudence.