PHP 1.4M shabu, gun seized in Bakhaw sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The reported five-year drug-peddling career of a 46-year-old man was cut short following his arrest in a police anti-narcotics operation early evening of May 18 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Alias “JR” was arrested following a buy-bust operation at his house in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit, together with personnel from the ICPO SWAT Team, Iloilo City Police Station 10, and Iloilo Maritime Police Station, apprehended the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

He further yielded 14 more sachets and two knot-tied packs of suspected shabu.

A .38-caliber revolver loaded with four rounds of ammunition and several non-drug items were also recovered from his possession.

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the seized shabu weighed around 220 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 1,496,000.

Gimeno said the suspect had no previous drug-related arrest but was on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council list of illegal drug personalities.

The suspect lives in a family compound, but his wife and children now reside in Canada.

Several of his relatives also left their houses, which JR allegedly used as a pot session area for his clients, Gimeno said.

The suspect allegedly presented himself as a businessman who owned an auto repair shop, but Gimeno said he used it only as a front.

The arrested suspect is under the custody of Iloilo City Police Station 10 and will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

From May 1 to May 15, 2026, ICPO seized a total of PHP 5,399,311.52 worth of suspected shabu weighing approximately 794.0164 grams in 28 anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 35 drug personalities.