Duo falls in Capiz drug buy-bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Two street-level individuals were arrested Monday evening, Jan. 26, during a drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Panitan Municipal Police Station in Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Panitan.

Police identified the suspects as Eleseo Dasas y Dellomos, alias “Otay,” 43, a resident of Barangay Agkilo, Panitan, and Marie Ducado y Daniele, 45, a resident of Barangay Poblacion Ilaya, also in Panitan.

A police poseur-buyer was able to purchase one sachet of suspected shabu valued at PHP 10,000 from Dasas during the operation.

Operatives also recovered three additional sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 18 grams, with a standard drug price of PHP 122,400.

The suspects are currently under the custody of the Panitan police, and charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against them.

Four arrested illegal gambling operation

Meanwhile, four persons were also arrested Monday evening, Jan. 26, during an anti-illegal gambling operation in Barangay Lacaron, Dao town.

Police identified the suspects as Rey Duron, 48, a tricycle driver and resident of Barangay Capagao, Panitan; Edzel Descalsota, 26, of Barangay Balatucan, Panitan; and Judy Duron, 51, and Dennis Boffil, both residents of Barangay Calaan, Panitan.

The operation was conducted after the Dao Municipal Police Station received information about illegal gambling activities known locally as “Cara y Cruz” or “Tumbo” in the area.

Police said the four suspects attempted to flee when operatives arrived but were immediately apprehended.

Recovered items and the suspects are now under the custody of the Dao police station, while charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, or the Anti-Gambling Law, will be filed against them.

Meanwhile, the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) reported that 18 individuals were arrested for illegal gambling during weeklong operations conducted from Jan. 19 to 25, 2026.

Based on the CPPO accomplishment report, five of those arrested were wanted persons, one of whom was also charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 after authorities recovered about 45 grams of illegal drugs with a standard drug price of PHP 306,000.

Police also arrested four individuals for illegal fishing, recovering fishing paraphernalia and assorted fish valued at about PHP 401,400.

In separate operations, authorities recovered 112 board feet of lumber during an anti-illegal logging operation.

The police further reported the voluntary surrender of 10 loose firearms, while one hand grenade and one unlicensed firearm were seized during another operation.

All suspects are currently under police custody for proper disposition of their respective cases.