Major Drug Bust in Pavia Nets High-Value Suspect
Law enforcement authorities in Western Visayas scored a significant victory against illegal drugs with the arrest of four suspects, including one classified as a high-value individual, during a carefully planned buy-bust operation in Pavia, Iloilo.
The operation, which unfolded on November 15, 2025, around 6:45 p.m. in Barangay Tigum, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 60 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P408,000.
Coordinated Police Operation
The successful anti-drug mission was conducted through the joint efforts of the Pavia Municipal Police Station and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Western Visayas. The collaboration between these units proved crucial in apprehending the suspects and seizing the illegal substances.
Police identified the arrested individuals as:
- Alias Taboy, 30 - classified as a high-value individual (HVI)
- Alias John, 31 - street-level individual (SLI)
- Alias Kerr, 36 - street-level individual (SLI)
- Alias Kenn, 21 - street-level individual (SLI)
All suspects are residents of Barangay Tigum in Pavia, according to police records.
Police Leadership Commends Operation
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), praised the operating teams for their coordinated effort that led to the successful operation.
"The arrest of this high-value individual and other suspects demonstrates our unwavering resolve to combat illegal drugs not only in the Province of Iloilo but across Western Visayas," Ligan stated. He emphasized their commitment to protecting communities and encouraged continued public reporting of illegal activities.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, provincial director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), also commended the operatives and acknowledged community support in suppressing illegal drug activities.
Month-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest
Authorities revealed that the drug bust culminated from nearly a month of surveillance and validation based on information provided by concerned citizens. Investigation showed the group had been sourcing illegal drugs from Iloilo City and distributing them within Pavia municipality.
During the operation, police confiscated 10 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing the suspected shabu, along with buy-bust money and various non-drug items as evidence.
The suspects are currently detained at the Pavia Municipal Police Station and will face charges for violating Sections 5, 11, and 26 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. These charges carry severe penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death and fines from P500,000 to P10 million.
The Pavia MPS confirmed that the suspects will undergo further investigation before formal charges are filed in court. Authorities reiterated their call for public vigilance and encouraged continuous reporting of drug-related activities to help ensure safer communities across the region.
