BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO & MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Two high-value individuals were arrested during a major anti-illegal drug operation at Zone 4, Barangay San Juan, Molo, Iloilo City for possessing 225 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1.53 million.
Detained in the Molo Police Station were Teresa Pagunaling, 57, of the said barangay, and Rey Hermano, 57, of Barangay MH Del Pilar, Jaro district.
Spearheaded by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), together with the Regional Maritime Unit 6 and Molo Police Station, the buy-bust was carried out at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. For accountability, two body-worn cameras were used in the operation.
According to CDEU chief Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., it took them one month of surveillance until the suspects agreed to sell the illegal substance to a police poseur buyer for P16,000.
“Actually, ang babayi ang amon target kay ang naga-transact galing hindi sya mag baligya sang hindi nya kilala. It so happened that we were able to coordinate with their downline, who transacted with them. Amo to natigayon ang aton buy-bust operation. They told us nga gina bagsak lang sa ila ang items tapos bulto-bulto ila pagbaligya,” Benitez told Panay News.
On the other hand, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Colonel Joeresty Coronica emphasized that operations against illegal drugs will continue.
“Samtang may naga baligya segi man amon operation,” Coronica said.
To note, the ICPO seized a total of P74.7 million worth of shabu in 382 drug operations in 2023. These also resulted in the arrest of 610 suspects and the seizure of 10,883 grams of the illegal substance.
The two suspects will be charged for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
