Ex-Con Arrested in P1.5M Drug Sting; Partner Flees

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An ex-convict was arrested during a police anti-narcotics operation on the evening of October 19 in Estancia, Iloilo.

Clark Delallaña, 30, of Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, Iloilo City, was apprehended during a buy-bust operation at his rented house in Barangay Bolaqueña, Estancia.

Delallaña and his live-in partner, 27-year-old Desiree, allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu for P30,000.

While Delallaña was caught, Desiree managed to evade arrest.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), along with personnel from the IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Estancia Municipal Police Station, were unable to apprehend her as she fled to a cliff behind their rented house.

Police recovered four knot-tied plastic packs of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.

Major Dadje Delima, IPPO-PDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 220 grams, with a street value of P1,496,000.

Delima said both suspects had previous drug-related arrests.

Delallaña was arrested in 2017, while Desiree was apprehended two years later.

The couple had been staying in Estancia for about a month, according to Delima.

They reportedly relocated because police in Iloilo City were also pursuing them.

Delima added that the couple was distributing illegal drugs in parts of Capiz and northern Iloilo.

Both suspects face charges for violating Sections 5, 11, and 26, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.