Ex-cop, barangay official nabbed in Iloilo buy-bust

Three drug suspects, including a former police officer and an incumbent barangay official, were arrested in a buy-bust operation that yielded about 310 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 2,108,000 in standard drug price at about 3:05 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2026, in Barangay Licu-an, Dingle.

Arrested were alias “Eduard,” 51, married and a former Philippine National Police member listed as a high-value individual; alias “Kor,” 55, married, an incumbent barangay kagawad and newly identified high-value individual; and alias “Jay,” 28, single, jobless and categorized as a street-level individual.

All are residents of the barangay, police said.

Police said the operation followed six months of intelligence monitoring and case buildup, aided by information from concerned citizens.

The buy-bust was led by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 2, with support from the Dingle Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Seized were one heat-sealed plastic sachet used as the buy-bust item, four large heat-sealed plastic sachets and two regular-sized heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and other non-drug items.

The suspects are in the custody of the Dingle Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Police said they are preparing charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and 26 (conspiracy to commit a drug offense) of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The police said the offenses carry penalties of life imprisonment and fines of up to PHP 10,000,000.

Police Regional Office 6 Director Police Brig. Gen. Josefino D. Ligan lauded the operating units for the operation.

“Let this serve as a strong warning that no one is above the law. Regardless of status, position, or former affiliation, we will relentlessly pursue individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. This operation demonstrates our firm commitment to cleanse our communities from the menace of illegal drugs,” Ligan said.

He added that PRO-6 will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations in coordination with local government units and the community to help ensure a safer and drug-free Western Visayas.