Iloilo kagawad nabbed in PHP 2.2 million drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A village official was arrested for allegedly engaging in the illegal drug trade in Iloilo City.

The 47-year-old suspect, identified by the alias Bulldog, is a barangay kagawad in Ortiz, City Proper.

Police arrested him during a buy-bust operation at 3:45 p.m. July 21.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office City Drug Enforcement Unit carried out the operation in coordination with the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and Iloilo City Police Station 8.

Police classified Bulldog as a high-value individual.

Officers allegedly recovered six sachets and eight knotted plastic bags containing suspected shabu from him.

Police Capt. Roque Gimeno III, chief of the ICPO City Drug Enforcement Unit, said the seized drugs weighed about 330 grams.

The drugs had an estimated standard value of PHP 2,244,000.

Gimeno said he began monitoring the suspect’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade more than three years ago.

“We tried to arrest him but it’s hard to penetrate his lair. He employed people to watch out for persons who appeared to surveil the area,” he said.

Police made a breakthrough after a civilian informant came forward and helped officers establish contact with Bulldog.

The suspect had no previous arrest record, although he had been included in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s list of alleged illegal drug personalities.

Bulldog remains in police custody and will face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The law penalizes the sale, distribution, delivery, and possession of prohibited drugs, including methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.