Three Tokhang surrenderers arrested in drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three individuals previously surrendered under Oplan Tokhang were arrested in a late-evening drug operation on May 13 in City Proper, Iloilo City, after reverting to illegal activities.

The suspects, identified as Zoren Gamas, 30; his uncle Salvador Gamas, 50; and their neighbor Fe Angeles, 60, all residents of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1, were caught by members of the Iloilo City Police Station 1, alongside the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.

The operation led to their arrest after they sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P13,000.

Subsequently, officers recovered 13 more sachets of suspected shabu. Captain Roque Gimeno III, chief of ICPS1, reported that the seized shabu weighed around 64 grams and was valued at approximately P455,600.

All three suspects were previously identified as drug personalities by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and had surrendered under the national anti-drug campaign, Oplan Tokhang.

Gimeno highlighted that Zoren was the primary target of the operation. He allegedly obtained his supply from his uncle Salvador, who is currently incarcerated at New Bilibid Prison.

The suspects are now detained and face charges for violating the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).