Major Drug Bust in Iloilo City
Operatives from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) successfully arrested an alleged high-value individual and confiscated approximately 65 grams of shabu during a carefully planned buy-bust operation in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao District. The significant anti-drug operation took place at around 1:20 in the afternoon on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Suspect Identification and Operation Details
Police identified the apprehended suspect as alias 'To' or 'Kompol', a 60-year-old individual originally from Purok 2, Pavia, Iloilo. According to police reports, the suspect was temporarily residing in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao District at the time of his capture. The arrest occurred immediately after the suspect completed an illegal drug transaction with an undercover police officer.
Authorities recovered substantial evidence from the scene including seven sachets of shabu, the marked buy-bust money used in the operation, and several non-drug paraphernalia. Police estimated the street value of the confiscated illegal drugs at approximately P442,000, highlighting the significance of this seizure in the local drug trade.
Police Statement and Ongoing Campaign
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), commended the successful operation and emphasized its importance in the ongoing war against illegal substances. "This successful operation is a testament to our strengthened campaign against illegal drugs", Ligan stated.
The police official further emphasized their commitment to "continue to pursue those who persist in engaging in illegal drug activities and ensure that communities in Western Visayas remain safe and drug-free." Ligan also praised the professionalism displayed by the operating team and called for continued public support in the collective effort against drug proliferation.
The suspect currently remains detained at Iloilo City Police Station 10 while authorities prepare to file formal charges for violations under Republic Act 9165, commonly known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This arrest represents another significant achievement in the Philippine National Police's intensified campaign against illegal drugs in the Western Visayas region.
