ILOILO City — A truck driver employed by the Iloilo Provincial Government was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Camambugan, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, on Wednesday afternoon, June 17, after authorities seized more than a kilogram of suspected shabu worth nearly P7.8 million.
Arrested was Giovanie Villa Adelantar, alias “Banny,” 51, a resident of Barangay Don T. Lutero East, Janiuay, Iloilo, and a truck driver assigned at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The operation was conducted at around 2:05 p.m. by joint operatives of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division-6, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6.
Police confiscated about 1,145 grams (1.145 kilograms) of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P7.786 million. Also recovered were approximately five grams of suspected shabu sold during the buy-bust operation, P13,000 in marked money, and other non-drug evidence.
Police Major Dadje Delima, chief of the IPPO-PDEU, said Adelantar had been under surveillance since 2024 and was listed as a top-priority drug target by both the Philippine National Police and PDEA.
Delima said previous operations failed because the suspect allegedly used runners to negotiate and deliver illegal drugs.
“We tried several times transacting with him, but he was difficult to arrest because he never personally negotiated or delivered the items. He used an errand boy. It was only during this operation that he personally delivered the drugs after we arranged to buy P13,000 worth of shabu,” Delima said.
According to police, the suspect allegedly operated throughout Iloilo Province and reportedly sourced illegal drugs from Manila. He also admitted to authorities that he was a drug user.
Investigators are also looking into reports that a vehicle assigned to the suspect for his work at the Provincial Capitol may have been used to transport illegal drugs to different areas in Iloilo’s First District.
The inventory of the seized evidence was conducted at the scene in the presence of Barangay Captain Gérard G. Pineda of Barangay Zone 5, Sta. Barbara, and media witness Jayvee Jalbuna of Radyo Merkado-Todo Network.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the employee would have to answer for his alleged involvement before the law.
“He will have to face the law and take responsibility. Atubangon niya ang kaso nga ipasaka sa iya,” Defensor said.
Asked whether the provincial government would strengthen random drug testing among Capitol employees, the governor said such a program is already being implemented.
“We have been doing random drug tests, but from this incident, we can further improve the way we monitor our bureaucracy,” he added.
Police said Adelantar was informed of his constitutional rights and is currently detained at the Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station. He will undergo medical examination and booking procedures before charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are filed.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office Director Col. Bayani Razalan commended the operating teams for the successful arrest.
“Wala sang lugar diri sa aton probinsya ang mga indibidwal nga padayon nga nagaduso sang iligal nga droga. Presuhan ang nagakadapat nila tup-an,” Razalan said.
He reiterated that the campaign against illegal drugs spares no one regardless of position or status, adding that the IPPO remains committed to dismantling drug networks and achieving a drug-free Iloilo./PN
