ILOILO — Government employment will not shield anyone from criminal liability, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said after a Capitol employee was arrested in a P7.8-million drug bust, stressing that the suspect must answer for the charges against him and face the consequences of his alleged actions.
Defensor made the statement when asked by reporters about the arrest of a provincial government worker identified only as “Banny,” 51, a resident of Barangay Don T. Lutero East, Janiuay town, who has been serving as a truck driver under the Provincial Engineer’s Office for the past 15 years.
“He will have to face the law and take responsibility,” Defensor said.
The governor emphasized that the suspect must personally answer for the charges that will be filed against him.
“Atubangon ya ang kaso nga ipasaka sa iya. Batunon ya ina. Again, atubangon ya ang responsibilidad,” Defensor added.
The suspect was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted at around 2:05 p.m. on June 17 in Barangay Camambugan, Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
The operation was carried out by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station Drug Enforcement Team, Regional Intelligence Division-6, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6.
Authorities recovered approximately 1,145 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P7.786 million.
Police said the suspect had allegedly been engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs in various parts of Iloilo Province and had been under surveillance and intelligence monitoring for more than a year before his arrest.
Recovered from the suspect were 14 sachets, two knot-tied transparent plastic sachets, and three large zip-lock plastic bags containing suspected shabu, along with buy-bust money, boodle money, and other non-drug evidence.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine and Anti-Torture Warning in a language known and understood by him, authorities said.
He is currently detained at the Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station and is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño, acting regional director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), commended the operating units for the successful operation and underscored the importance of sustained intelligence-driven anti-drug efforts.
“This operation demonstrates our deliberate effort to target High-Value Individuals and prevent illegal drugs from reaching our communities. The seizure of more than one kilo of suspected shabu is not only a major accomplishment but also a significant blow to the drug network operating in the province. PRO-6 will not allow drug personalities to freely operate and destroy our communities,” Tuaño said.
“We commend the strong coordination among our police units and partner agencies. This is the kind of focused, disciplined, and intelligence-driven operation that we must continue to strengthen. PRO-6 will remain relentless in going after those who destroy lives, families, and communities through illegal drugs,” he added.
PRO-6 also urged the public to continue providing timely and relevant information to support law enforcement operations and help build safer, drug-free communities across Western Visayas./PN
