Alleged drug supplier of Iloilo SK chair arrested in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Police on Wednesday afternoon arrested a high-value drug suspect who allegedly supplied illegal drugs to the arrested Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman of Sara, Iloilo.

Joint operatives of the Capiz Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6-Capiz Provincial Office, under the supervision of Police Col. Albert D. Tapulao, provincial director, arrested Stephen Bereber alias “Papanort,” jobless and a resident of Sitio Swa, Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz, in a buy-bust operation at about 3:58 p.m. in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

During the operation, police seized 12 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with a total weight of 60 grams valued at PHP 408,000. Officers also recovered several non-drug items from the suspect’s possession.

Bereber was the alleged illegal drug supplier of Rexon Mark Jabagat, 26, of Barangay Del Castillo, Sara, Iloilo, who was arrested on Feb. 20, 2026, in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Sara Municipal Police Station and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company in Barangay Ardemil, Sara town.

Jabagat, the SK chairman who had been in the position for about four years, was caught carrying 22 medium-sized sachets of suspected shabu weighing more than 300 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 2,040,000.

In addition, 10 grams of marijuana worth more than PHP 1 million were also seized from Jabagat.

Earlier, Tapulao confirmed that the SK chairman of Sara got his supplies of illegal drugs from President Roxas town.

Tapulao directed the Capiz Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit and Intelligence Unit to conduct an investigation to identify the supplier.

One of the three motorcycles used by the SK chairman in illegal transactions, including the transport of illegal drugs from President Roxas, was confiscated and is presently under the custody of the Sara Philippine National Police.

Bereber was informed of his constitutional rights and was brought to the Roxas City Police Station for proper disposition and the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Jabagat was charged with violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) under the same law.

The Sangguniang Kabataan is the youth council in Philippine barangays, composed of elected officials aged 15 to 30, tasked with representing the interests of the youth in local governance.

The Capiz Police Provincial Office continues to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs through focused operations and close coordination with partner agencies. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and to report illegal drug activities in their communities.