Gang leader, three youngsters fall in P816K

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A gang leader who was convicted of drug charges and his three young underlings were arrested in a police-led evening drug bust last Dec. 26 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Luigi Allaway, 36, of Barangay Sto Nino Sur, Arevalo, is back in jail months after his release.

Joining him are Jonas, 21, of Barangay San Jose, Arevalo, and Samantha Jane, 19, of Barangay West Timawa, Molo.

Police also collared a 16-year-old boy, who is a resident of Barangay Sta Cruz, Arevalo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) arrested the suspects after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P10,000.

When police searched the area and frisked the suspects, they found 10 more sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, various drug paraphernalia and other non-drug items.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 120 grams and valued at P816,000.

Allaway was first arrested for an illegal drug offense in 2018. He was released from incarceration in May 2023.

Following his release, he was monitored to have revived the True Brown Style (TBS) 13 Gang, which was tagged in robberies, especially those victimizing taxi drivers.

Their top leader has already died while the second one was behind bars.

Being next in line, Allaway made moves to restart the group’s activities. He started by recruiting youngsters, especially those who are not in school.

It was believed that the three suspects were his recruits.

“He might be using them as drug runners,” Benitez said.

It was gathered that Allaway has been taking his drug supply from a friend who is behind bars.

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