PRO-NIR seizes PHP 5.8 million in shabu

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) seized an estimated PHP 5.87 million worth of suspected shabu in four separate buy-bust operations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental from Dec. 27 to 31, 2025.

The first operation was conducted in Hacienda La Consolacion, Barangay 12, Victorias City, where police arrested an 18-year-old laborer from Barangay 20.

Authorities confiscated 108 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 734,400, along with an improvised tooter.

On Dec. 30, a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, resulted in the seizure of 220 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 1.5 million.

Two suspects were arrested: a 39-year-old identified as “Gang,” a resident of Barangay 31, and “CD,” 20, from Barangay Bata.

Later that day, Police Station 8 conducted another operation in Purok Mainabyanon, Barangay Singcang-Airport.

Officers arrested a 48-year-old suspect known as “Ernesto” and recovered 335 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 2.28 million.

On Dec. 31, police seized 200 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 1.36 million in Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2.

Two men were arrested: “Sir Erns,” 27, and “Ernie,” 40, both residents of Barangay Singcang-Airport.

According to PRO-NIR, the success of these operations reflects the agency’s intensified anti-drug campaign built on intelligence gathering, coordination, and swift enforcement.

The regional office reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug networks, neutralizing high-value targets, and protecting communities.

“Illegal drugs will find no refuge, and those who defy the law will face the full force of justice across the region,” it said in a statement.

Jail visitor caught with shabu in Talisay

A 24-year-old fisherman was arrested after allegedly being caught in possession of suspected shabu during a visit to a Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at Talisay City Jail in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, on Dec. 31.

Jail Chief Inspector Kevin Bonilla, warden of Talisay City Jail, said a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 340 was recovered from the suspect’s pocket during a routine frisking of visitors.

The suspect and the confiscated item were turned over to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office’s Forensic Unit for laboratory examination and drug testing.

Bonilla said the suspect was visiting the cousin of his live-in partner, who is incarcerated for a drug-related offense.

The suspect claimed the drugs were not his and said he had borrowed the pants he wore from his brother before the jail visit.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against him.

In a statement, Jail Chief Superintendent Brendan Fulgencio, director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR), commended the jail officer involved.

“These commendable acts of our jail officers are significant in our continuing quest to eliminate all forms of contraband in our jails, particularly the menace of illegal drugs,” he said.

The incident followed the Dec. 23 arrest of a man who allegedly attempted to smuggle two sachets of suspected shabu and dried marijuana leaves inside a ziplock container hidden in an improvised stove at the Negros Occidental District Jail male dormitory in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.