THE Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo) arrested two high-value individuals (HVIs) and seized over P1.4 million worth of suspected shabu in two separate buy-bust operations on Friday, July 18, 2025.
The first operation was conducted at 12:50 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion South, Oton, Iloilo. The suspect, alias Joriel also known as Real, 30, a jobless resident of the barangay, was arrested by joint forces of the Ippo Provincial Drug Enforcement Team 1, Oton Municipal Police Station (MPS), Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC).
Classified as a newly identified HVI, Joriel had been under surveillance for nearly four months, following reports from concerned citizens. Intelligence revealed that the suspect allegedly sourced his illegal drugs from Iloilo City and distributed them within Oton and nearby areas.
Recovered from his possession were approximately 125 grams of suspected shabu contained in nine sachets, with a standard drug price of P850,000, along with various non-drug paraphernalia.
Just a few hours later, around 4 p.m., the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Mina MPS, led by Police Captain Isagani Tabares, conducted a follow-up operation in Barangay Nasirum, Mina, Iloilo. Arrested was alias Junior, 19, a resident of Barangay Golgota, Janiuay, also listed as a newly identified HVI.
Junior’s arrest followed three weeks of thorough intelligence validation, triggered by reports from local residents.
Authorities believe he sourced his supply from a neighboring town and distributed drugs within Mina. The operation yielded approximately 85 grams of suspected shabu worth P578,000.
Both suspects are currently in police custody and face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Ippo's recent operations underline their commitment to eradicate illegal drugs in Iloilo province and uphold public safety, aligning with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) anti-drug strategy.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), and Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, director of the Ippo, commended the successful joint operations and emphasized the importance of strong community-police collaboration.
“I congratulate everyone for your hard work in conducting the operation. Continue to be dedicated and serve the people with a heart,” Ligan said.
Razalan, in his statement, acknowledged the contributions of vigilant citizens.
"Ang ini nga madinalag-on nga operasyon nagapamatood sang aton bug-os nga dedikasyon sa pagtapna sang ilegal nga droga diri sa aton probinsya sang Iloilo. Nagapasalamat gid ako sing daku sa tanan naton nga kasimanwa nga naghatag sang impormasyon nga nangin rason sang pagsikop sang mga imbolbado sa ilegal nga droga. Padayon kita nga magbuligay agud hilwayon ang aton pinalangga nga probinsya batok sa ilegal nga droga kag pasiguruhon ang seguridad sang tanan nga mga pumuluyo," he said.
(This successful operation proves our full dedication to the fight against illegal drugs here in our province of Iloilo. I am very grateful to all our fellow citizens who provided information that led to the arrest of those involved in illegal drugs. Let's continue to work together to liberate our beloved province against illegal drugs and ensure the security of all citizens.) (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)