Murder convict nabbed in drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A man convicted of murder was arrested in a police anti-illegal drugs operation late evening of Dec. 28 at Molo, Iloilo City.

Authorities identified the subject as Virgilio Hilario, 51, of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1, City Proper district, Iloilo City. He was collared in a buy-bust operation at Barangay South Balurate.

His arrest happened five months after he skirted a police operation that saw his son’s arrest.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), together with the Iloilo City Police Station 4, mounted the operation that led to the seizure of a sachet of suspected shabu worth P12,000.

Hilario later yielded two knot-tied plastic sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items when he was frisked.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 80 grams and were valued at P544,000.

Hilario admitted that he used and sold illegal drugs. He claimed to be employing youngsters to pick up his shabu supply.

Just like other arrested drug pushers, police said Hilario also sourced his supply through Jovan, an alleged drug trader who is incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.

Reports claimed that the suspect was arrested and detained for a murder case,

Benitez said the charge may have been downgraded, as the suspect was released after serving his sentence.

In 2020, he was collared for an illegal drugs-related offense and was released in early 2023.

Hilario, who has been on the police’s regional target list, is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).