Negros Oriental village chief arrested in drug bust

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities arrested an incumbent village chief during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pulantubig, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on Thursday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) and PDEA Negros Oriental identified the suspect as 49-year-old “Inah,” the village captain of Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City.

According to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), officers confiscated five grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 34,000 from the suspect, who has been tagged as a high-value target.

Also seized were an improvised glass tooter, PHP 1,000 in marked money, PHP 200 in cash, an empty plastic sachet, and other personal items.

The suspect is currently detained at the Dumaguete City Police Station and is facing charges for the sale and possession of dangerous drugs, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), Dumaguete City Police Station, and the Special Operations Unit–NIR of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

PRO-NIR said it remains committed to its campaign to dismantle the supply chain of illegal drugs through inter-agency coordination, community support, and sustained, strategic law enforcement operations.

In a separate incident on the same day, police arrested another high-value individual in a buy-bust in Purok Mauswagon, Barangay Looc, Sibulan town.

Authorities confiscated approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP 340,000, along with non-drug evidence including a motorcycle, an empty plastic sachet, a steel improvised sealer, marked money, and other personal items.

Also on Thursday, PDEA-NIR agents dismantled an alleged drug den in Purok Tahong, Barangay 2 in Bacolod City, resulting in the arrest of five suspects.

Seized during the operation were 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 16 grams, along with marked money, seven improvised glass tooters, five lighters, three pairs of scissors, and cash.