ILOILO City – Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) confiscated approximately 180 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,224,000 in two separate anti-drug operations conducted on Tuesday, June 16.
The operations resulted in the arrest of three high-value individuals (HVIs) in Iloilo City, while a hot pursuit remained underway for two brothers who managed to evade law enforcement in Dumangas, Iloilo.
At around 6:05 p.m., operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division 6, Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 6, and Dumangas Municipal Police Station, carried out a buy-bust operation in Sitio Carida, Barangay Bolilao.
The targets were two brothers identified by their aliases “Jessie” and “Ed,” both residents of the said place. They were listed as HVIs and had been under surveillance for nearly a month.
During the sting, however, the brothers detected the presence of undercover officers, forcibly resisted arrest, and escaped through a hole in the wall of an adjacent room.
Despite their escape, police recovered four heat-sealed plastic sachets and two knot-tied plastic bags containing around 120 grams of suspected shabu, with a standard drug price of P816,000. Also seized were buy-bust money and suspected drug proceeds at the scene.
Later that evening, at around 10:50 p.m., another operation in Zone 5, Barangay Boulevard, Molo, Iloilo City led to the arrest of three dried fish vendors tagged as HVIs: aliases “Glenn,” 43; “Bebang,” 48; and “Geovani,” 49, all residents of Molo.
Confiscated from the trio were approximately 60 grams of suspected shabu valued at P408,000, along with buy-bust money and other non-drug evidence.
The operation was executed by the Iloilo City Police Office’s City Drug Enforcement Unit and Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Iloilo Maritime Police Station, and the Iloilo City Police Station 4 – Station Drug Enforcement Team.
PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño commended the operating units for the substantial drug recoveries, emphasizing that the seizures deal a severe blow to regional drug networks.
He also assured the public that efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects were ongoing as of press time.
Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against all five suspects./PN
