Ex-Army soldier nabbed in Capiz drug bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A former Philippine Army soldier was arrested Friday evening, May 22, in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Calapawan, Panay, Capiz.

The Panay Municipal Police Station identified the suspect as alias “Joemarie,” 50, a street-level individual and resident of the village.

Police said the operation was conducted around 7:15 p.m.

Recovered from the suspect were six sachets of suspected shabu bought by a police poseur-buyer, PHP 3,000 in buy-bust money and other non-drug items.

Police valued the recovered suspected illegal drugs at PHP 40,800.

The suspect is under the custody of the Panay Municipal Police Station.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against him on Monday, May 25.

Meanwhile, a man with a warrant of arrest voluntarily surrendered to the Roxas City Police Station on Friday afternoon, May 22.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Arthur,” 32, of Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

He was listed as the No. 5 most wanted person at the municipal level.

The suspect is wanted for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The warrant of arrest was issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Esperanza Isabel E. Poco-Deslate of Branch 19, Roxas City, on May 20, 2026.

He is under the custody of the Roxas City police for proper disposition.

Republic Act 9165 penalizes the sale, possession and distribution of illegal drugs, including shabu, one of the most commonly seized illegal substances in police anti-drug operations.