By Jennifer P. Rendon
Iloilo City remains challenged by the persistence of illegal drug activities, evidenced by a recent buy-bust operation on the afternoon of March 7 at Duran St, Barangay Sto Rosario, in the City Proper district.
Two individuals, Alexander Pada, 31, of Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper, and Ceasar Evangelista, 49, of Zone 8, Barangay Calumpang, Molo district, were apprehended with a significant haul of suspected shabu weighing 1.5 kilograms, valued at a standard drug price of approximately P10.2 million.
The arrest was conducted by the combined forces of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), Iloilo City Police Station 1, the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 6, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6 RSET-Alpha.
The suspects were collared after selling two sachets of suspected shabu for P30,000.
Upon frisking, officers found a green-coated aluminum foil with a Chinese character label inside the motorcycle’s utility box. The foil contained a transparent plastic bag of suspected shabu.
Further search led to the seizure of 10 sachets and four knot-tied plastic packets of suspected shabu from Pada’s possession, along with P2,270 in cash, two mobile phones, a Yamaha motorcycle, and other non-drug related items.
Both suspects are now in custody and face charges for violation of Section 26 in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, the Iloilo City police chief, admits that despite continuous intelligence-driven crackdowns, illegal drugs still find their way into the city.
He suggests that it might be time to focus on demand reduction strategies, even as law enforcement continues to target the supply side.
“Maybe, it’s time we should look into the demand-reduction. As far as we’re concerned, we’re trying to respond to the supply-reduction side,” he said.
Coronica assures the public that their efforts to apprehend those involved in the illegal drug trade in Iloilo City will not wane.
