THREE high-value individuals (HVIs) were arrested and 230 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,564,000 were seized during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Zone 2, Rodriguez Street, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo around 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2025.
The suspects were identified as alias Ric, 32; alias Madre, 40; and alias Tel, 39 — all residents of Mandurriao District, Iloilo City. Police said the three are tagged as high-value priority targets.
Seized from the suspects were seven transparent plastic sachets and two knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing suspected shabu; buy-bust money; two Android cellular phones; a self-sealing plastic container with several strips of aluminum foil; and other non-drug items.
The suspects are currently detained and will face appropriate charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operation was carried out by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Western Visayas (RPDEU 6) in coordination with the Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station (MPS), Iloilo Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Police Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit (PDEG-SOU 6) in Western Visayas, and the Regional Intelligence Division in Western Visayas (RID 6).
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), commended all units involved in the operation.
“I commend everyone for a job well done. Let us continue doing our best to eliminate the drug menace in the region and ensure a safer and more secure Western Visayas,” Ligan said. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)