BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – Approximately 520 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3,536,000 were found in the possession of live-in partners Jona Rose Espinas and Kim Roger Pahunao following a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Tanza Bonifacio, Iloilo City Proper.
The apprehension of the suspects, both tagged by police as high-value individuals, was carried out by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) in coordination with the Iloilo City Police Station 1 (ICPS-1) at around 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Espinas, a resident of Barangay Tanza Bonifacio, and Pahunao, from Barangay San Juan in Molo district, sold a sachet of the illegal substance to a police poseur buyer in exchange for P20,000.
Authorities also seized a butterfly knife (balisong) and other non-drug-related items.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., head of the CDEU, Pahunao has connections in Muntinlupa City, particularly with his uncle who was in prison and allegedly the source of their illegal drugs.
Benitez revealed that the live-in partners themselves are the ones distributing illegal drugs to their buyers in Iloilo City and province.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Police Office director Colonel Joeresty Coronica said the suspected shabu was intended for distribution this Christmas season and the Dinagyang Festival next month.
The arrested individuals are presently under the custody of ICPS-1 and will be facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”
Police Regional Office 6 top cop, Brigadier General Sidney N. Villaflor, praised the operatives involved.
“This is another huge accomplishment for all of us in our fight against illegal drugs. Bunga po ito ng ating pagtutulungan, mamamayan at pulisya, para sa hangaring mabigyan ng ligtas at magandang bukas ang ating mga anak,” he said./PN
