Aircon tech nabbed in P170-K drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An aircon technician was arrested in a police anti-drug operation in Oton, Iloilo afternoon of April 2, 2023.

Oton Municipal Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) collared Jovan Roy Jose, 38, at his home in Lumina Subdivision, Barangay Abilay Norte, Oton for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer for P6,800.

Also recovered from Jose’s possession were six sachets of suspected shabu, the buy-bust money, and several non-drug items.

Major Fernand Limbungan, Oton police chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 25 grams and were valued at P170,000.

Jose was placed on the police watchlist following the arrest of nine persons in a suspected drug den in Jaro, Iloilo City last January 9.

Among those arrested are Jameson Chua, 41, of Barangay Buray, Oton, Iloilo; Elea Alinsasaguin, 22, of Barangay Naslo, Pototan, Iloilo; and Angelo Joy Lo, a tricycle driver from Barangay Abilay Norte, Oton.

During the operation, members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recovered P1.3 million worth of illegal drugs.

Lo, who was the subject of the operation, is also a resident of Abilay Norte where Jose lives.

Limbungan said Jose is Lo’s alleged downline in the illegal drug trade.

Jose is a native of Negros Occidental but relocated to Oton since his wife worked as a teacher in the area.

Limbungan said it was Jose’s first arrest for any criminal offense.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).