BY RUBY SILUBRICO & MAI LADIAO
ILOILO City – In a major anti-illegal drug operation by members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), an estimated P10.2 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated from two high-value individuals in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Iloilo City Proper.
The suspects were identified as Alexander Pada, 31, of Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper, and Ceasar Evangelista, 49, of Zone 8, Barangay Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City.
Their main illegal drug source is reportedly the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
According to Captain Glenn Soliman of RPDEU-6, it took them three months of surveillance before they transacted with Pada and Evangelista.
“Daw indi pa na sila magbaligya sa aton pero na-convince sang aton asset amo ato nakabakal kita. I believe nga naka-dispose na sila kay nag abot ang items ligad lang adlaw,” Soliman said.
The suspects were caught at approximately 12:50 p.m. yesterday, March 7, in possession of 1.5 kilograms of the illegal substance after a successful purchase by a police poseur buyer of two sachets of suspected shabu worth P30,000.
It was revealed that Pada served jail time for illegal drug and robbery charges, while Evangelista has no prior criminal record.
Soliman said Pada, however, was released from prison three years ago after he availed of a plea bargaining agreement for his drug case while his robbery case was dismissed.
Both suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police Regional Office 6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky commended his men for hauling a huge amount of the illegal substance.
So far, this is the biggest anti-drug operation since Wanky assumed office two weeks ago.
“Expect more operations to be done, the arrest of more drug personalities, and the seizure of huge amounts of shabu if they continue to venture. Indi kita mag-untat hasta indi sila ma-arrest,” Wanky said./PN
