ILOILO City – A former policeman who went on absence without official leave (AWOL) and his two companions were arrested in an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Navais, Mandurriao district.
Police identified the primary suspect as 60-year-old alias “To Pepit,” a resident of the said barangay. His arrested companions were identified as aliases “Mark,” 37, of Barangay Katilingban, Molo district, and “Noel,” 47, of Barangay San Isidro, Jaro.
The buy-bust operation was executed at around 2:40 p.m. on June 18 after a police asset successfully completed a transaction with the suspects.
Seized from suspects tagged as high-value targets were approximately 200 grams of alleged shabu valued at P1.4 million.
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), confirmed that the former policeman was the primary target of the operation, following intelligence reports detailing his involvement in local drug trafficking.
“Let this serve as a strong warning to those involved in the illegal drug trade. We will not stop nor relent in our campaign against illegal drugs, regardless of a person’s age, status, or background,” stated Parilla. “Our operations will remain aggressive, intelligence-driven, and firmly within the bounds of the law.”
The suspects were detained at Iloilo City Police Station 10, facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002)./PN
