By Jennifer P. Rendon
More than PHP13 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in a series of operations conducted in Iloilo City and the province of Iloilo over a three-day period.
The confiscation surpasses the combined weekly accomplishments of all provincial and city police offices during last month’s Birada Semana, a weeklong enhanced managing police operations (E-MPO) focused on anti-criminality, arresting wanted persons, and targeting illegal drugs and gambling.
From October 1 to 3, eight anti-illegal drug operations were carried out in the towns of Pavia, Pototan, Cabatuan, Estancia, Oton, Carles, and Sta. Barbara, as well as the city of Passi.
These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately PHP9.135 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 individuals.
The largest bust occurred in Oton, where the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) apprehended a live-in couple and seized more than PHP7.48 million worth of illegal drugs.
The remaining seven operations were conducted by units under the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Meanwhile, units under the Iloilo City Police Office conducted nine operations, leading to the confiscation of around PHP4.15 million worth of shabu.
IPPO Director Colonel Bayani Razalan credited the recent high-volume seizures to intelligence-driven efforts.
“It just so happened that these suspects were targeted now because our assets and operatives made breakthroughs in penetrating their networks,” he said.
IPPO spokesman Major Rolando Araño noted that, rather than viewing the high number of confiscations as alarming, the police see it as a positive result of community support.
“We gathered solid leads, acted on them, and successfully arrested drug personalities on our watchlist,” Araño added.
For comparison, IPPO confiscated only PHP4.28 million worth of shabu throughout the entire month of September.
