BY RUBY SILUBRICO & JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) apprehended four high-value drug suspects and seized a total of P5,712,00 worth of suspected shabu from two operations in the metro recently.
Three of the drug suspects were arrested at around 12:32 a.m. on Friday in Barangay Jibao-an, Pavia.
“Kano,” “Richard,” and “Jinggoy” were found in possession of 520 grams of suspected shabu with a street value of P3,536,000.
According to Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) chief Captain Glenn Soliman, it took three weeks of surveillance against the suspects before they were busted after an asset negotiated to buy P15,000 worth of shabu from them.
He said that their main target was “Kano,” who was once jailed at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for frustrated homicide sometime in 2016.
“He was released in 2019 kag nag-start na sya baligya. Actually, gamay man lang iya ginabaligya, pero kay Dinagyang Festival daku iya gin kuha. Para gid ini ang drugs sa Dinagyang,” Soliman added.
Meanwhile, in Barangay PHHC, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, approximately 320 grams of suspected shabu valued at P2,176,000 were recovered.
The arrest of suspect “Tatang” was executed by the City Drug Enforcement Unit, along with the support of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, Police Stations 4 and 5, Regional Mobile Unit 6, and the PDEU, around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25.
“Tatang” was reportedly affiliated with a slain alleged drug lord in Western Visayas.
The arrested individuals will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police Regional Office 6 director Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor congratulated his men for a huge accomplishment before the highlight of the Dinagyang festival.
“As we continue our relentless efforts to combat the menace of illegal drugs, the success of these operations underscores the dedication and cooperation among our law enforcement units. Let this serve as a warning to those who choose to engage in such illicit activities. Justice will prevail, and we will relentlessly pursue those who threaten the safety and security of the people of Western Visayas,” Villaflor said./PN
