By Jennifer P. Rendon
An employee of the local government of Altavas was apprehended in a police anti-narcotics operation on the morning of February 19.
Ranel David was arrested at Barangay Talon, Altavas, Aklan, where he resides. The Altavas Municipal Police Station, in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 6, detained the suspect following his sale of suspected shabu valued at P10,000.
Lieutenant Ryan Batadlan, the Altavas police chief, reported that David was found in possession of six sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 18 grams with an estimated value of P122,400.
Additionally, police confiscated a mobile phone, a coin purse, and P858 in cash from David.
David, who works for the Altavas Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), had previously surrendered under Oplan Tokhang several years ago and was listed as a person who used drugs (PWUD).
He also completed his Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP), which is recognized as a comprehensive approach to rehabilitating individuals who have surrendered due to drug use, focusing on the recovery of the body, mind, and soul through counseling and therapeutic sessions.
“Since we have the list of Oplan Tokhang surrenderees, we conduct monitoring activities, including having them undergo annual random drug tests,” explained Batadlan.
Unfortunately, David failed two random drug tests conducted in 2023 and 2024.
The local government had allegedly been notified about David’s continued drug involvement.
However, before his dismissal could be processed, he was caught in Monday’s sting operation. According to Batadlan, David procured his drug supply from sources in Metro Manila and Iloilo.
David is now in custody and faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
