Brothers arrested in Iloilo City drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two brothers were arrested in an anti-drug operation on September 25 in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Armando Montelijao, 49, and Isagani Montelijao, 53, both from Zone 1, Barangay Ingore, La Paz, allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP6,800.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 2 (ICPS2) recovered four more sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and several non-drug items following the arrest.

Capt. Marlon Perez, ICPS2 chief, said the seized drugs were worth PHP47,000.

The suspects, classified as street-level pushers, allegedly used their house as a drug den. Police monitored the brothers for almost three months before the arrest.

Isagani claimed to be a police asset under Perez, but the officer denied this. Perez reportedly confronted the suspect, stating he didn’t know him and wouldn’t use a drug pusher as an asset.

The brothers are now in custody and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).