Authorities in Western Visayas have scored a significant victory in the war against illegal drugs with the arrest of a high-value individual and the confiscation of a substantial quantity of suspected shabu.
Major Drug Bust in San Jose, Antique
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) successfully apprehended a high-value target during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Malaiba, San Jose, Antique. The operation took place on December 3, 2025, at 10:42 p.m.
The suspect, known by the alias "Arvi," is a 35-year-old resident of the barangay. His arrest came after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, to an undercover police officer.
Substantial Evidence Seized
Following the buy-bust, which was led by the San Jose Municipal Police Station (MPS), law enforcers conducted a search that yielded significant evidence. The seized items include:
- Eleven large and five small heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.
- A green sling bag and a plastic container.
- A white mobile phone.
- The marked money used in the undercover transaction.
The confiscated drugs have an estimated total weight of 80 grams, indicating a substantial street value. The suspect is now under the custody of the San Jose MPS as police prepare formal charges.
Severe Legal Consequences Await
The suspect faces charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. These are among the most serious drug-related offenses in the Philippines.
The penalties for these violations are severe, ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty, alongside fines that can reach from P500,000 to P10 million.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the regional director of PRO 6, praised the operating team for their successful mission. He emphasized that the police campaign is driven by a fundamental goal.
"Our campaign is not driven by numbers or statistics," Ligan stated. "It is driven by our desire to give every family in Western Visayas the peace and safety they deserve."
This operation underscores the continued and intensified efforts of the PNP in Western Visayas to dismantle drug networks and hold high-value targets accountable under the full force of the law.
