ILOILO – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) scored another major victory in its intensified anti-drug campaign after a buy-bust operation in Barangay Janipaan Olo, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Tuesday, August 12, led to the arrest of four suspected drug personalities and the confiscation of around P952,000 worth of suspected shabu.
The 5:46 p.m. operation resulted in the capture of two high-value individuals (HVIs) – aliases “Ryle,” 19, of Jaro, Iloilo City, and “Rene,” 55, of Cabatuan – along with street-level targets aliases “Neri,” 34, of Cabatuan, and “Jenessa,” 27, of General Santos City. Another suspect, alias “Rodelito,” also tagged as an HVI, remains at large.
Operatives from the Cabatuan Municipal Police Station (MPS) led the operation with support from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 2, Philippine Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 6, and the 603rd Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6.
Authorities recovered nine heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 140 grams, buy-bust money, a 12-gauge shotgun with five live ammunition, and non-drug-related paraphernalia.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Josefino Ligan commended the operatives for their swift action, stressing that the arrest sends a strong message to drug traffickers.
“This successful operation is a testament to our commitment to safeguard our communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs. We will not relent in our efforts to hunt down those who peddle this menace in society. Our message is clear: there is no safe place for drug traffickers in Western Visayas,” Ligan said.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Cabatuan MPS for proper disposition, while authorities continue to pursue the remaining fugitive./PN
