ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. warned that public officials who commit crimes face harsher penalties under the law.
He issued the warning after a sitting barangay captain in San Dionisio town was arrested in a buy-bust operation, yielding more than P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu.
“It’s very unfortunate and very disappointing nga kapitan pa ang madakpan. Aggravating ina sia eh if you are a public official and you made a crime; it will increase the penalty of the crime. Amo na ang konsekwensya sina,” Defensor said.
Suspect Redan Manzano, 52, of Barangay Bundolan, San Dionisio, was apprehended by the San Dionisio Municipal Police Station on Sunday night, February 15.
The arrest marks the second time this year that a barangay captain has been caught in a drug sting.
In January, joint operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Team 3 of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Sara Municipal Police Station, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit arrested the punong barangay of Tuble, San Dionisio.
He was found in possession of approximately 955 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P6.49 million.
Defensor said the provincial government will intensify coordination with the IPPO, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and other law enforcement agencies to address the province’s illegal drug problem.
The governor also revealed ongoing discussions with law enforcement agencies on establishing small operation centers in ports across the province to strengthen monitoring and intelligence validation./PN
