By Jennifer P. Rendon
Four suspected drug peddlers were arrested in separate anti-drug operations across Western Visayas on January 7.
While the suspects lived kilometers apart, they shared a common characteristic: all were unemployed.
The suspects were identified as Cornelio Gladwin Suñer, Jude Belleza, Julius Madayag, and Philip Prado.
Cornelio Gladwin Suñer, 45, of Barangay Bagacay, Ibajay, Aklan, was apprehended in a roadside buy-bust operation in Bagacay village at around 5:48 a.m. on Tuesday.
Members of the Aklan Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (AkPPO-PDEU) and Ibajay Municipal Police Station seized less than a gram of suspected shabu from him.
In Antique, Jude Belleza, 44, of Barangay Catungan IV, Sibalom, was arrested at Purok 5, District III, Sibalom, at approximately 7:52 p.m.
Authorities recovered suspected shabu valued at PHP408,000 during the operation, conducted by the Antique PPO-PDEU and Sibalom Municipal Police Station.
Julius Madayag, 46, was apprehended in his home in Delos Santos Village, Barangay Jibolo, Januyuan, Iloilo, at around 8:58 p.m.
Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group confiscated suspected shabu worth PHP408,000 from him.
Philip Prado, 46, was arrested at 10:30 p.m. in Barangay Katipunan, Buruanga, Aklan, where he resides. Police seized less than a gram of suspected shabu from his possession.
All suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The authorities continue their intensified campaign against illegal drugs to curb its prevalence in the region.
