GUV RAISES ALARM: Despite 1,720 drug-cleared villages, shabu still flows into Iloilo

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has expressed alarm over the seizure of more than PHP 21 million worth of suspected shabu in two separate operations conducted in Iloilo Province within days, citing the continued entry of illegal drugs despite sustained enforcement efforts.

Defensor said the volume of seizures points to an ongoing drug supply problem requiring urgent action.

On June 17, joint operatives from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Camambugan, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, resulting in the arrest of a 51-year-old truck driver who also works as an employee of the Iloilo provincial government.

The suspect was caught in possession of more than 1.14 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at approximately PHP 7.78 million.

Four days later, on June 21, authorities confiscated nearly PHP 13.97 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Oton, Iloilo, resulting in the arrest of three high-value individuals.

The operation, led by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) with support from intelligence units, was conducted at Block 20, Lot 3, Florvel Subdivision in Barangay Buray at around 1 a.m.

Police identified the suspects by their aliases “Boss,” 26; “Jude,” 32; and “Choco,” 28, all residents of Molo, Iloilo City, and all classified as high-value individuals.

The confiscated drugs from the Oton operation weighed 2,055 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 13.97 million.

The combined seizures, totaling more than PHP 21 million, prompted Defensor to describe the situation as “alarming.”

The governor said the provincial government is intensifying coordination with law enforcement agencies to strengthen preventive measures, particularly at ports of entry, which remain vulnerable to drug trafficking.

He noted that roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminals pose inspection challenges due to the high volume of cargo and vehicles passing through, making full screening difficult with conventional methods.

To address this, the provincial government is preparing to deploy 17 K9 units to assist in detecting illegal drugs at ports and strengthen interdiction efforts.

“You cannot X-ray everything coming through RoRo ports, so we will deploy K9 units to help prevent drugs from entering the province,” Defensor said in an interview Monday, June 22.

He also reiterated plans to establish port monitoring and operations centers to improve intelligence gathering and passenger screening as part of broader border security measures.

In 2024, 1,720 of Iloilo Province’s 1,721 barangays were declared drug-cleared, according to PDEA data.