BY MAI LADIAO
ILOILO – Three operatives from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) suffered injuries in a buy-bust operation led by the Janiuay police at 9:32 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Dabong, Janiuay, Iloilo.
Two of the operatives were brought to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, while their team leader received first aid after the operation’s subject reportedly resisted arrest.
According to the Janiuay police, suspect Huxly “Batotoy” Lebuna, 30, a resident of the said area, sold a sachet of suspected illegal drugs for P2,100 to a police poseur buyer.
More or less seven grams of suspected shabu worth P47,600 were later found in his possession.
Barangay Captain Winnie Canitan of Dabong said Lebuna was summoned just last week and was advised to cease his illegal activities. He also failed to complete his drug rehabilitation program after surrendering previously.
Further, barangay officials noted that their village was declared drug-clear before the suspect married and moved in, making him the sole individual listed in their Barangay Drug Abuse Council report.
Major Ahlie Estember, chief of PDEU-IPPO, confirmed that the suspect was a downline of their operation in the town last month, where five individuals were apprehended and one was able to evade. The runaway was identified as Lebuna.
Lebuna received treatment for his injuries and will be held in custody by the Janiuay police while the charges against him are being prepared./PN
