Ro-Ro bus conductor, local cohort fall in P5.78-M drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two persons who allegedly connived in the transport and trade of illegal drugs were arrested late evening of Feb. 13 at Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Frederic Villanueva, 44, of Barangay Dungon-B Jaro, Iloilo City and Gilbert Valdemor, 34, of Purok Bagong Masagana, Barangay Cotta, Lucena City were arrested following a buy-bust operation along Barangay Sta. Rosa, Mandurriao.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, together with the Iloilo City Police Station 5, collared the suspects after selling a knot-tied plastic of suspected shabu for P50,000.

During frisking, police seized 10 more knot-tied plastic bags of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.

Captain Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 team leader, said the seized drugs weighed around 850 grams valued at P5,780,000.

Soliman said Villanueva was the target of the operation.

Valdemor, a Ro-Ro bus conductor, went with him during the supposed sale of shabu.

Valdemor later admitted that someone asked him to carry a “parcel” to clients.

“He was aware that it was illegal drugs,” Soliman said.

Valdemor said the bus driver was not aware of his illicit dealing.

Depending on the volume, the suspect claimed he was paid between P10,000 and P20,000 per parcel.

Valdemor was paid through the mobile wallet app GCash.

But aside from Iloilo City, he also dropped off supply in Capiz and Aklan provinces.

Valdemor has no previous drug-related arrest while Villanueva told policemen that he was incarcerated for 7 years over a drug-related offense.

The two suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).