Authorities in Western Visayas have dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade with a major seizure and the arrest of four high-value targets in Iloilo.
Coordinated Stings Net Major Haul
Operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) executed two successful buy-bust operations on December 5 and 6, 2025. The coordinated actions resulted in the confiscation of more than 1,500 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value running into the tens of millions of pesos, and the capture of four individuals classified as high-value targets.
First Operation in Iloilo City
The first strike occurred at approximately 8:05 p.m. on December 5 in Barangay Hipodromo, City Proper District, Iloilo City. Police apprehended a couple identified only by their aliases. The male suspect, alias "Jun," 36, is reportedly jobless and an ex-convict who had previously been charged with a drug offense but was released through plea bargaining. His live-in partner, alias "Tata," 26, was also arrested.
Recovered from the couple was a substantial quantity of illegal drugs, including:
- 10 plastic sachets of shabu
- 16 knot-tied plastic bags containing the substance
The total weight of the confiscated shabu from this operation was approximately 1,200 grams. Authorities also seized the buy-bust money, various drug paraphernalia, and other non-drug items as evidence.
Follow-up Operation in Oton Town
Just hours later, around 12:27 a.m. on December 6, RPDEU teams conducted a second buy-bust in Barangay Pulo Maestra Vita, Oton, Iloilo. This operation led to the arrest of two more high-value individuals.
The suspects were named as alias "Jun," 39, a married resident of Barangay Poblacion North in Oton, and alias "Bads," 28, a single resident of Barangay Caingin, La Paz, Iloilo City. From these suspects, police recovered 16 heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu weighing about 305 grams, along with marked money and assorted non-drug items.
Police Leadership Commends Operatives
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the Regional Director of PRO 6, praised the operating units for their effective and coordinated efforts. He emphasized the unwavering commitment of the regional police force to clearing communities of illegal drugs.
"This operation is a strong message to those who choose to return to the illegal drug trade despite previous convictions," General Ligan stated. "PRO 6 remains firm and relentless in its campaign to eradicate illegal drugs in Western Visayas. I commend our operatives for their unwavering dedication to protecting our communities."
He further highlighted that as the holiday season approaches, intensified police operations will continue to safeguard the peace and security of the region. PRO 6 affirmed its strategy of conducting intelligence-driven and community-supported anti-drug operations to work towards a drug-free Western Visayas.
