City cops collar 3 ‘drug peddlers’ in separate anti-narcotics ops

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three suspected drug pushers were arrested in separate police anti-narcotics operations afternoon of Dec 13, 2022 in Iloilo City.

Richard Magbanua, Jonalyn dela Paz, and Gina Gabayeron were collared within a span of 30 minutes.

Magbanua, a resident of Barangay Bolilao Mandurriao, Iloilo City, was arrested 2 p.m. at Barangay Airport, Mandurriao.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 5 apprehended the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth P1,100 to a police poseur-buyer.

Following his arrest, police recovered seven sachets of suspected shabu, the P1,100 marked money, a mobile phone, a cigarette pack, and a Yamaha NMAX motorcycle.

At about the same time, members of the Iloilo City Police Station 6 also arrested dela Paz at Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo.

The 34-year-old suspect, a resident of Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, purportedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,500.

She yielded five more sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, and a wallet when frisked.

Thirty minutes later, members of the Iloilo City Police Station 2 nabbed Gabayeron at her home in Barangay Zone 2, Rizal, La Paz.

She allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for 3,100.

Recovered from her possession were the P3,100 marked money, three sachets of suspected shabu worth P40,800, and other non-drug items.

The three suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).