Father, Sons, In-Law Charged in Roxas City Drug Bust

Suspects (facing away from the camera) arrested in a drug buy-bust operation Tuesday morning in Barangay Inzo Arnaldo, Roxas City. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-Capiz)

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Authorities filed charges Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, against a father, his two sons, and an in-law following their arrest in a drug buy-bust operation on Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, at an alleged drug den in Barangay Inzo Arnaldo.

The suspects, identified as Anton Eduardo, 18, also known as “Tonton”; his father Antonio Eduardo, 44, alias “Pandon”; his brother John Kim Eduardo, 19, alias “JK”; and brother-in-law Gilbert Roxas, 24, alias “Toto,” were charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The operation was conducted by personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Capiz and Maayon PNP.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 25 grams, along with several pieces of drug paraphernalia.

PDEA Iloilo Agent III Jose Ramir Batuigas said Anton was the primary target of the operation and is considered a high-value individual. Anton reportedly became involved in illegal drugs at the age of 13.

Batuigas noted that Anton’s father had previously been arrested and jailed for a similar offense.

The operation took place around 11:30 a.m.

The PDEA had monitored and placed Anton under surveillance following his father’s prior arrest for illegal drug trade.

“There is a possibility that the son inherited his father’s illegal drug activities,” Batuigas said.

The suspects are currently under the custody of PDEA-Capiz.