Suspect Injured, PHP4-M Shabu Seized in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A suspected drug peddler was injured after resisting arrest during a PHP4-million anti-drug operation in Jaro, Iloilo City, late Tuesday afternoon, January 16.

The suspect, identified as alias “Lucky,” 29, of Barangay Balabago, Jaro, allegedly fired at police operatives during the arrest.

Police also apprehended two of Lucky’s companions: alias “Jess,” 34, a call center agent from Mandurriao, and alias “Berna,” 25, of Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), in coordination with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU 6), conducted the operation.

The suspects sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP12,000 during a buy-bust at Balabago village.

After the transaction, officers attempted to arrest Lucky, but he allegedly fired at them and missed. Lucky then fled in a vehicle with his companions, prompting police to shoot at the car’s tires.

Despite driving on deflated tires, Lucky managed to reach the emergency room of the Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center.

According to Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, Lucky attempted to escape but was cornered by pursuing officers.

Inot said Lucky sustained injuries from shattered glass in his car, not gunfire.

Police recovered six sachets and ten knot-tied plastic bags of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 600 grams, with an estimated value of PHP4,080,000. They also seized a .45-caliber pistol and other non-drug items.

Iloilo City Police Chief Colonel Kim Legada revealed that Lucky has a history of criminal activity.

He was previously arrested for drug-related charges on September 20, 2020, in Barangay Poblacion, Leganes, Iloilo.

He was also involved in a vehicular incident in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz, in 2019 and a shooting incident at Time Square parking lot, Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao, in the same year, where a man sustained a leg injury.

Lucky is now under hospital arrest, while his two companions are detained at the police station.

Authorities are preparing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act), and the Commission on Elections gun ban.