ILOILO City — Two alleged high-value drug personalities were arrested while approximately 230 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P1.564 million were seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz, Iloilo City on Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2026.
The suspects, identified by their aliases “Pipoy,” 34, married, and “Gerry,” 19, single, both residents of Barangay Zona Sur, Banate, Iloilo, were arrested at around 2:55 p.m. at Block 7, Barangay Sinikway.
Police said the suspects were temporarily staying in Iloilo City and were both classified as High-Value Individuals (HVIs) involved in illegal drug activities.
According to investigators, alias “Pipoy” had previously been arrested for a drug offense and was released in 2023. Authorities said he allegedly resumed illegal drug activities and had been operating in Iloilo City and nearby towns together with alias “Gerry.”
The successful operation stemmed from around seven months of intelligence monitoring and case build-up, which led to the conduct of the buy-bust operation.
Recovered from the suspects were nine heat-sealed sachets and two knot-tied transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, along with buy-bust money and assorted drug paraphernalia.
The operation was led by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU 6) with support from the Regional Intelligence Division 6, PDEG Special Operations Unit 6, and Iloilo City Police Station 8.
Police officials said charges for violation of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against the suspects.
Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, regional director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), commended the operating units for the successful operation and reiterated the police force’s commitment to intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs../PN
