FOUR drug suspects, including two identified as high-value individuals (HVI), were arrested during a joint anti-drug operation in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo District, Iloilo City, on the evening of May 26, 2025.
In a separate operation, Iloilo City’s fifth most wanted person (MWP) was arrested on May 27, 2025, in La Paz District.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), praised the law enforcement units involved in the drug bust.
“This operation is a testament to our commitment to rid communities of illegal drugs. We will not stop until those involved in illegal activity are apprehended,” he said.
The anti-drug operation was conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) in Western Visayas, with support from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) Special Operations Unit (SOU) 6, the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo)-Drug Enforcement Unit, and Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 6.
Authorities confiscated around 305 grams of shabu valued at P2,074,000 from the four suspects.
They were identified as alias Joe, 29, of Barangay San Vicente, Jaro District, and alias JM, 29, of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao District, both tagged as HVI.
Also arrested were two other suspects identified by aliases Nica and Iko, both 23, and residents of Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper District.
Seized during the operation were 12 plastic sachets and five knot-tied plastic bags containing shabu.
The four suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, joint police operatives arrested a construction worker listed as Iloilo City’s fifth MWP along Forbes Bridge in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz District, at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The suspect, identified as alias Robert, 38, a resident of Zone 5, Barangay Ingore, La Paz District, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of Lascivious Conduct under Section 5(b) of RA 7610, as amended by RA 111648.
The warrant was issued by Judge Regina Centenera Galang-Guarin of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30, Iloilo City, with a recommended bail of P200,000.
The arrest was carried out by the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC) with support from ICPS 2, the City Intelligence Unit, and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) in Western Visayas.
The suspect is now in the custody of ICPS 2 for proper disposition.
Police Colonel Kim Legada, director of the Icpo, commended the swift and coordinated arrest, saying, “This successful arrest reflects our unwavering commitment to deliver justice and protect the most vulnerable members of our community." (Leo Solinap)