PRO-6 seizes PHP4.9M shabu, arrests 22 suspects

Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) intensified its anti-drug campaign through 13 operations that led to the arrest of 22 suspects and the confiscation of PHP4.94 million worth of suspected shabu across Western Visayas in just 24 hours.

From 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 21 to 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 22, 2025, law enforcement units executed coordinated buy-bust operations under the PRO-6’s “Birada Semana” initiative, a weeklong anti-criminality and anti-illegal drug drive.

According to police reports, a total of 727.10 grams of suspected shabu were recovered during the operations.

Of the 22 arrested suspects, 12 were classified as High-Value Individuals (HVIs), nine were Street-Level Individuals (SLIs), and one was a newly identified personality.

“These results demonstrate the relentless efforts of PRO-6 to dismantle the illegal drug trade in Western Visayas,” PRO-6 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan said in a statement.

He added, “The series of successful operations sends a clear message that PRO-6 remains firm and aggressive in its fight against illegal drugs.”

One of the most significant operations occurred at 2:00 a.m. on Aug. 22 in Happy Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Oñate De Leon, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Six individuals were arrested during a buy-bust operation led by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 and Iloilo City Police Station 5, with support from the City Intelligence Unit and Regional Intelligence Division 6.

The suspects included three HVIs: alias “Abdul,” 33, from Iloilo City; alias “Toto,” 39, from Antique; and alias “Miah,” 42, from Aklan.

Three others, identified as alias “Enoc,” 18, “Zar,” 27, and “James,” 23, were classified as SLIs.

Authorities recovered 230 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.56 million, along with firearms, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.

In another operation in Batad, Iloilo, police arrested alias “Jeffrey,” 26, a criminology student and resident of Brgy. Batad Viejo.

The suspect was caught during a buy-bust at 5:12 p.m. on Aug. 21 and yielded 120 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP816,000.

Police also retrieved buy-bust money and various non-drug items during the operation.

Meanwhile, in Brgy. San Jose, Arevalo, Iloilo City, operatives arrested alias “Francis,” 37, from Jaro, Iloilo City, during a buy-bust at 1:22 a.m. on Aug. 22.

The operation, led by ICPS6 and the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, resulted in the seizure of 100 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP680,000, marked money, and drug paraphernalia.

“All arrested suspects are under the custody of their respective police stations for proper disposition and filing of charges,” PRO-6 said.

Ligan encouraged public participation, saying, “We will continue to hunt down drug personalities and protect our communities from the menace of illegal drugs. Our commitment to a drug-free Western Visayas is unwavering.”

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their areas to help sustain the momentum of the anti-drug campaign.