![“The Pharmally case... there are 46 respondents [in our complaint], kaya medyo matagal. And many of them have become invisible. Para bang they're trying to evade the jurisdiction of this body,” says Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/plunder_copy_resized_resized-218x150.jpg "Ombudsman presses P11-B Pharmally plunder case But 23 respondents missing— Remulla")
BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Two village officials involved in illegal drugs in this city are both active in service.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is monitoring a village chief in the City Proper and a barangay kagawad in Jaro district.
They were drug surrenderees during the administration of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
ICPO director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica said in an interview with DYRI RMN Iloilo there were originally three village officials on their list. One from Arevalo district was caught in a buy-bust operation of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Zone 3, Barangay Sto. Niño Norte on February 2022.
“Sa monitoring naton may ara duha, isa ni ka kapitan kag isa ka kagawad. Duha ni ang active subong kay ang isa na aresto na sang 2022,” the ICPO director said.
Even though no drug-related movements were observed with the two active village officials, Coronica said their monitoring is ongoing.
On May 25, Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said 430 barangay officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs are under monitoring ahead of the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Of these, 76 were in Western Visayas. These included 20 village chiefs and 56 barangay kagawads, said Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 acting director./PN
