Operatives of the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) arrested a 46-year-old married man, identified only as alias JR, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao District, Iloilo City on May 18, 2026. The operation, conducted around 6:20 p.m., resulted in the seizure of approximately P1.49 million worth of shabu and a firearm.
Police Commend Community Cooperation
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, director of the Icpo, praised the public's role in the successful anti-drug operation. He emphasized that strong community partnership is crucial in the campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms. Parilla assured that the police will continue their relentless efforts to make Iloilo City safer and more secure.
Details of the Operation
The buy-bust was carried out by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) led by Police Captain Roque Gimeno III, with support from the Maritime Police Station, Icpo Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and Iloilo City Police Station 10 – Station Drug Enforcement Team. Recovered from the suspect were 15 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and two knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing shabu weighing about 220 grams, with an estimated value of P1,496,000. Additionally, police confiscated a caliber .38 revolver, four live rounds of ammunition, buy-bust money, and several non-drug items.
Charges Pending
The arrested individual is now under the custody of ICPS 10, awaiting the filing of charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013).
Icpo's Anti-Drug Campaign Results
Data from the Icpo showed that from May 1 to May 15, 2026, police conducted 28 anti-drug operations across Iloilo City, seizing around 794.0164 grams of shabu worth P5,399,311.52. These operations led to the arrest of 35 drug personalities as part of the intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
The Icpo vowed to continue strengthening operations against illegal drugs and firearms through sustained police actions and community support. The latest operation in Barangay Bakhaw is part of the broader anti-criminality campaign of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) under Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have yet to determine if the confiscated drugs were intended for distribution within Iloilo City or nearby areas. Further investigation is underway to identify possible links and other individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. All confiscated evidence will be submitted to the crime laboratory for examination and proper documentation to support the criminal complaints against the suspect.
