ILOILO City – In a bid to escape law enforcement’s tightening grip, drug peddlers might be shifting their base of operations from Iloilo to Bacolod City, according to Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
During a press briefing yesterday, Wanky noted the significant increase in drug haul by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), which confiscated 1,303 grams of shabu, valued at approximately P8.8 million, and arrested 14 suspected drug pushers in just one week.
The data revealed a broader regional crackdown from July 1-7, during which PRO-6 seized about 3,335 grams of shabu worth an estimated P22.6 million.
The BCPO led these efforts with the highest seizure, followed by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RDEU6), which netted 905 grams of shabu worth P6.1 million, and the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (PPO), with approximately 531 grams valued at P3.6 million.
Overall, the operations resulted in the arrest of 102 individuals involved in drug trafficking across the region.
“The strategy of these criminals to relocate operations is a direct attempt to avoid arrest, as they are well aware of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring efforts,” explained Wanky.
He has issued orders to intensify the tracking of drug traffickers’ movements throughout the cities and provinces.
Illegal drug pushers now prefer a solitary operation mode, utilizing an order-based system to expedite transactions and minimize arrest risks, according to the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) of the PRO-6.
Captain Glenn Soliman, the RDEU chief, however assured the public that his men are on top of the situation.
“Given the compact nature of Iloilo, it becomes easier for us to apprehend them, and we are grateful for the community’s assistance in tracking these individuals,” Soliman said.
Supporting Soliman’s observation, the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the PRO-6 confirmed the absence of organized drug groups operating within Western Visayas.
Colonel Giovanni Musico, head of the RID, said continuous monitoring has not revealed any organized drug groups, particularly in Iloilo.
“But our vigilant monitoring continues to prevent any potential formations,” said Musico.
He confirmed the trend among illegal drug peddlers in the region has shifted towards individual operations, with many caught possessing large quantities of drugs.
“These individuals operate solo, handling both the receipt and distribution of drugs directly to buyers, without any intermediaries,” said Musico.
While acknowledging the significant achievements of various units, Wanky urged continued vigilance and an increase in the intensity of the anti-drug campaigns.
“May the arrest of these 102 individuals serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illegal drug trade,” said Wanky stated, stressing the consequences of persisting in such illicit activities./PN
