ICPO anti-drug unit personnel cited for P1.497-M shabu sting

By Jennifer P Rendon

Three personnel of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) were recognized for their role in the P1.462-million drug sting inside a hotel on May 31, 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU team leader, and his two personnel were formally cited during the flag-raising ceremony at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City on June 26.

The three personnel received a PNP Medal of Merit “in recognition of their sacrifice and dedication to duty.”

Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, commended Benitez and his team for conducting several high-impact anti-illegal drug operations.

“I want to attribute this successful operation to the people of Iloilo City who helped ICPO to accomplish its mission to curb the supply of illegal drugs and put drug personalities behind bars,” Coronica said.

The May 31 operations led to the arrest of six persons, including two women at a hotel in Barangay Hipodromo, City Proper district.

Police identified the suspects as Jeffrey Pamosino, 37, of Barangay Lapuz Norte, Lapuz, Iloilo City; Joel Libuna, 36, and Vincent Paul Caturas, 23, both of Block 4, Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz; Philip Esmao, 30, of Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz; Abbie Natinga, 20, of Barangay Crossing Dapuyan, San Joaquin, Iloilo; and Jenelyn dela Peña, 46, of Barangay North Baluarte, Molo, Iloilo City.

Police recovered 34 plastic sachets of shabu weighing 220.1797 grams with a standard drug price (SDP) of P1,497,221.69.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) were already filed against the suspects.