By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than PHP1 million worth of illegal drugs and a firearm were seized in a police anti-drug operation on Nov. 30 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Felix Jimena III, was arrested at his home in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 10 apprehended Jimena after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 15,000 during a buy-bust operation.

Authorities recovered 12 additional sachets and a knot-tied plastic pack of suspected shabu, a caliber .38 revolver with four live cartridges and a spent cartridge, as well as drug paraphernalia and other items.

Captain Val Cambel, chief of Police Station 10, said the confiscated drugs weighed around 150 grams, with a street value of PHP1,020,000.

During the operation, one of the suspect’s clients knocked on the door. When asked by a village official about his purpose, the client casually said he came to “ma-score,” a slang term for buying illegal drugs.

In a media interview, Jimena admitted to using illegal drugs but denied selling them. He later apologized to the police for lying.

Cambel confirmed that the suspect had a previous drug-related arrest in 2016 but was able to post bail. Police are currently reviewing the disposition of his earlier case.

Jimena was also listed as an illegal drug personality by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). He allegedly took over clients left by a recently arrested dealer known as “alias Naldo.”

Cambel revealed that Jimena allowed firearms to be used as payment in exchange for illegal drugs.

The suspect is now detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.