ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas has ordered the city police to arrest and file charges against suspects in a deadly stabbing incident in Barangay San Isidro, La Paz district that left four people dead and exposed a suspected drug-related motive behind the violence.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) confirmed that two of the injured individuals — identified as brothers Glenmark and Gilbert Muya — will be charged over the March 21 incident.
Treñas convened an emergency meeting with ICPO director Wilbert Parilla and police station commanders to get updates and issue instructions to fast-track the case.
Police said the Muya brothers are currently under hospital arrest after sustaining injuries during the incident. Security camera footage reviewed by investigators allegedly showed that the two also took part in the stabbing.
Parilla said charges against the brothers would be filed, adding that authorities are still reviewing additional security camera footage to identify other possible suspects.
Initial investigation revealed that the violence stemmed from a dispute over illegal drugs, particularly a transaction involving around P1,500 worth of suspected shabu.
The attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals identified as Johnny Sr., Johnny Jr., Joven Provido, and Tyrone Muya.
Treñas raised alarm over the reported drug angle, stressing the need to intensify the city’s anti-drug campaign.
“We do not tolerate the drug trade in Iloilo City. We will not allow violence to take root in our communities,” the mayor said.
She noted that several barangays have recently been declared drug-cleared by the Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ICADAC), emphasizing that gains must be sustained.
Treñas underscored that public safety remains a top priority, announcing plans to open two additional ICare centers next month to expand services and strengthen police visibility.
Meanwhile, the ICPO also briefed the mayor on a separate vandalism incident at the Iloilo River Esplanade. Treñas said gang leaders have already been summoned and persons of interest identified.
She added that police personnel assigned to administrative duties are now being redeployed to boost visibility and assist in traffic management during peak hours—from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.—as part of efforts to optimize resources and reduce electricity consumption./PN
