PRO-6 buy-bust in Iloilo nets four, PHP952k shabu

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) intensified its anti-drug campaign with a buy-bust operation in Barangay Janipaan Olo, Cabatuan, Iloilo, on August 12, 2025, that led to the arrest of two high-value individuals and two street-level drug suspects.

Police identified the arrested as alias “Ryle,” 19, of Jaro, Iloilo City; alias “Rene,” 55, of Cabatuan, Iloilo; alias “Neri,” 34, of Cabatuan, Iloilo; and alias “Jenessa,” 27, of General Santos City.

Ryle and Rene are tagged as high-value individuals (HVIs), while Neri and Jenessa are classified as street-level drug personalities.

Another HVI, alias “Rodelito,” remains at large.

The operation, conducted at around 5:46 p.m., was led by the Cabatuan Municipal Police Station with support from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 2, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 6, and the 603rd Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6.

Recovered from the suspects were nine heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money, a 12-gauge shotgun with five live ammunition, and other non-drug paraphernalia.

Police said the confiscated drugs weighed about 140 grams, with an estimated value of PHP 952,000 based on the standard drug price.

PBGEN Josefino D. Ligan, PRO-6 regional director, praised the operatives for their swift and coordinated action.

“This successful operation is a testament to our commitment to safeguard our communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs,” Ligan said. “We will not relent in our efforts to hunt down those who peddle this menace in society. Our message is clear, there is no safe place for drug traffickers in Western Visayas.”

The PNP urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help maintain peace, order, and a drug-free community.

The suspects and recovered items are now under the custody of the Cabatuan police for proper disposition.