ILOILO City – A buy-bust operation conducted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district on March 19 resulted in the arrest of three siblings.
The suspects were “Jeje”, 42; “Toto”, 39; and “Inday”.
Police operatives seized 150 grams of suspected shabu contained in 16 plastic sachets, with a total estimated value of P1,020,000.
Mayor Jerry Treñas reaffirmed his administration’s firm stance against illegal drugs following reports that one of the suspects was an election campaign leader. Political affiliation does not exempt anyone from the law, he stressed.
“I do not intervene in ICPO operations, especially in matters concerning illegal drugs. No one is above the law. Our stance is firm — nobody is exempted. Wala kita sang gina-protektahan,” Treñas declared.
The mayor acknowledged that political organizations have multiple levels of leadership, making it difficult to monitor every individual’s actions at the grassroots level. However, he assured that any election campaign leader involved in illegal drug activities would be immediately removed from their position, just as job hires implicated in drug operations had been dismissed by the city government.
“Sa dalum, indi mo gid masala. Leaders na ina, damo gid. Coordinators and major leaders pwede mo pa makita, pero kung sa dalum na gid, budlay na,” he explained.
According to City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) head Police Captain Ryan Christ Inot, “Jeje” and “Toto” had been under long-term surveillance and were confirmed drug users.
Authorities revealed that the siblings sourced their drug supply from Bacolod City and that “Jeje” had a drug-related case in 2016.
The police are set to file charges against the suspects for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Mayor Treñas urged Iloilo City residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and a drug-free Iloilo City, regardless of political connections./PN
