PDEA-6, cops nab six in drug busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 and the PNP arrested six persons in separate anti-narcotics operations in the city and province of Iloilo and Antique province.

The suspects were identified as Jenny Boy Dumaguit, 22, of Barangay Lacturan, Dumangas, Iloilo; and Malver Castillo, 39, of Barangay Alalasan, Lapuz, and his live-in partner, Catherine Alegrado, 31, of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

PDEA-6 agents, together with Guimaras Police Provincial Office, Dumangas Municipal Police Station, and 601st Maritime Police Station, arrested Dumaguit in a buy-bust operation 8:30 a.m. of March 19 at Bacay Peoples Village, Brgy. Bacay, Dumangas, Iloilo.

Seized during the operation were several sachets of suspected shabu with a standard value of Php40,800, the marked money, a plastic case, and aluminum foils.

Dumaguit was earlier reported through PDEA’s “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins” hotline.

Charges for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 12 of Article II, Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) will be filed against the suspect.

Meanwhile, PDEA-Guimaras, together with different police operatives, arrested Castillo and Alegrado in a drug sting around 9:30 a.m. of March 20 at Barangay Alalasan, Lapuz.

Confiscated during the operation were nine sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.

Castillo was allegedly the target of the operation. He was arrested in 2012 but was released in 2020 after he availed of the plea-bargaining agreement.

The couple would also be charged for violation of Section 5, 11 and 26 in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165.

Meanwhile, three persons were also collared in an anti-illegal drug operation afternoon of March 20 in Anini-y, Antique.

The suspects were identified as Romnic Ramales, 33, of Barangay District 4, Sibalom, Antique; and Wilfredo Sabordo, 23, and John Francis Retez, 25, both residents of Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Members of the PDEA-Antique provincial office, Antique Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Anini-y Municipal Police Station arrested the trio 3 p.m. Sunday at Barangay Lisub B, Anini-y.

Confiscated from their possession were eight sachets of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P68,000 and several non-drug items.

Charges for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 26 in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being readied against the suspects.