A HIGH-VALUE individual and her live-in partner were arrested in an intelligence-driven buy-bust operation in Barangay Lumbia, Estancia, Iloilo around 1 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The operation was carried out by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Estancia Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by Police Captain Kevin Amorio, officer-in-charge.
Police Colonel Roland Bulalacao, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo), praised the local police unit.
“I call upon all remaining individuals engaged in illegal drug activity to stop now, or you will find yourselves rotting inside jail. We will not cease our efforts until every last person involved in illegal drugs is arrested,” Bulalacao said.
Bulalacao commended the Estancia MPS for their diligent work and thanked the Ilonggo community for their trust and support.
The arrested suspect, known as alias An-An, 22, female, helper, and resident of Purok 1, Barangay Ipil, Balasan, Iloilo, is tagged as a high-value individual (HVI).
She was previously arrested for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in September 2023 in Lemery, Iloilo, and was released on bail in the second quarter of 2024.
Also arrested was her live-in partner, alias Ren-Ren, 22, male, laborer, and resident of Purok 2, Barangay Villa Pani-an, Estancia. He is classified as a street-level individual (SLI).
The operation resulted in the confiscation of approximately 137.08 grams of suspected shabu, with a standard drug price of P932,144.
Authorities said the suspects sourced their supply from Iloilo City and distributed it across Estancia and nearby areas.
The Estancia MPS coordinated closely with concerned citizens, who helped tip off authorities. Validation and surveillance took nearly two months before the actual operation was launched.
Both suspects are now under the custody of the Estancia MPS and will be facing charges for violation of RA 9165. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)