ILOILO City — The Iloilo City Government has dismissed a job hire worker arrested in a P1.632-million drug bust and imposed stricter hiring requirements, including mandatory police clearances, following revelations that the suspect had a previous drug case before entering government service.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city immediately terminated the employment of the worker, identified only as “Dadang,” after authorities confirmed that he was an active job hire employee at the time of his arrest during a drug operation on May 26 in Barangay Zamora-Melliza, City Proper.
The mayor emphasized that the city government has a zero-tolerance policy against illegal drugs.
“Let this serve as a strong warning that the Iloilo City Government will not tolerate any involvement in illegal drugs regardless of position or employment status. Public service requires accountability, discipline, and integrity,” she said.
City Administrator Melchor Tan confirmed that the worker’s contract was terminated after his employment status was verified.
According to Police Captain Roque Gimeno III, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo City Police Office’s City Drug Enforcement Unit, operatives seized P1,632,000 worth of suspected shabu during the operation.
Police records showed that the suspect had previously been arrested in a drug bust in 2015 but was acquitted and released in 2024. Investigators alleged that after his release, he secured employment with the city government and later returned to illegal drug activities.
The arrest prompted City Hall to further strengthen its screening process for applicants.
Treñas said that beginning January this year, all applicants for job hire, contract of service (COS), and permanent positions are now required to submit a National Police Clearance in addition to the existing requirements of an NBI clearance and drug test results.
“As part of our commitment to a safer workplace, we strengthened the requirements for job hire, COS, and permanent applicants by requiring a National Police Clearance to check records and police blotter history,” the mayor said.
She explained that the previous requirements may not have reflected an applicant’s police records, blotter entries, or links to drug-related operations.
“Before we implemented this requirement, he had already entered government service as a job hire. While we remain open to people who are willing to change their lives, it must be clear that once there is involvement in illegal activities, especially illegal drugs, the city will not tolerate it,” Treñas added.
The mayor assured the public that the city government would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent the entry of individuals involved in illegal activities into public service and to keep Iloilo City drug-free.
“We will continue working closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that Iloilo City remains safe, disciplined, and free from illegal drugs,” she said.
Police said the suspect had been under surveillance following intelligence reports linking him to illegal drug operations. Investigators also claimed he maintained ties with drug personalities he met while serving time at the New Bilibid Prison./PN
