No group controls Iloilo City’s drug trade – ICPO

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has not identified any group that dominates the illegal drug trade in the city, according to Colonel Kim Legada, Iloilo City police director.

Legada likened the shabu business to a free-for-all trade, with individual drug peddlers operating independently.

This differs from previous years when a few individuals held territorial control over the illegal drugs entering the city.

While the ICPO has a list of targeted drug personalities, these are mainly pushers who have stepped in to fill the void left by those who were arrested or have since gone underground.

However, none so far appear capable of controlling the illegal drug trade in Iloilo City.

Legada also noted a discrepancy in shabu confiscations, pointing out that despite an increase in operations and arrests, the volume of confiscated drugs has decreased.

During August’s “Birada Semana,” ICPO units conducted 10 operations that resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals and the seizure of shabu worth P1.394 million.

In contrast, during July’s “Birada Semana,” the ICPO conducted eight anti-drug operations, arresting nine individuals and confiscating shabu valued at P2.043 million.

“What’s clear for us right now is that there will be no let-up in our campaign against illegal drugs,” Legada said.

In related news, two high-value individuals and four street-level pushers were apprehended during a series of police operations in Iloilo City.

The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), along with the ICPO, recovered approximately 138 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P938,400 during three separate anti-drug operations.

In a buy-bust operation on August 19, 2024, at Barangay Muelle Loney, City Proper, Iloilo City Police Station 1 operatives, in coordination with various police units, arrested two suspects identified as alias Dodong, 38, and alias Angel, 18, both residents of Barangay Muelle Loney. Authorities seized 72 grams of suspected shabu valued at P489,600.

Two hours later, another operation led by PDEG, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) Visayas, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU 6), and Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS4) resulted in the arrest of two individuals in Barangay Compania, Molo.

The suspects, alias Adjie, 58, a construction worker, and alias Ice, 24, a sidewalk vendor, were found in possession of 56 grams of suspected shabu valued at P380,800.

In a separate operation, ICPS4 operatives arrested alias Rene, 36, of Barangay South Baluarte, Molo, and alias Tonton, 25, a beautician from Barangay Kasing-Kasing, Molo, during a drug buy-bust at Barangay South Baluarte.

The two street pushers were caught with 10 grams of shabu valued at P68,000.

Legada encouraged ICPO personnel to continue their relentless efforts against illegal drugs.

“I urge everyone to remain committed and dedicated to achieving a drug-free Iloilo City,” he said.