Tokhang surrenderer nabbed with P598K worth of shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A Tokhang surrenderer was arrested with almost P600,000 worth of shabu in his possession during a police anti-illegal drug operation in Barotac Nuevo.

Liberato Lilia, 43, was arrested at his house at Purok Drop, Brgy Acuit, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo afternoon of March 17.

Members of Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station, PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 6, and Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) netted Lilia for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu.

Recovered from his possession were eight sachets of suspected shabu, the marked money, and a mobile phone.

Major Reagan Oriña, Barotac Nuevo police chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 88 grams and were valued at P598,400.

Oriña said that while the suspect is a Tokhang surrenderer, he has no prior drug-related arrests.

Lilia was placed under monitoring for almost a month after he was included in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

It remains unknown where Lilia got his supply, but Oriña said he’s been dealing in Barotac Nuevo and adjacent municipalities.

The suspect is now detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).