Two ex-convicts caught in PHP 1.3 million drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two ex-convicts were arrested in an anti-drug operation on the evening of Nov. 30 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects only by their aliases — Mark, 50, of San Joaquin, Iloilo, and Jay, 53, of Janiuay, Iloilo.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6 arrested the two in a buy-bust operation at a lodging house in Barangay Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo.

The suspects allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

Police recovered additional sachets of suspected shabu from their possession following the arrest.

Maj. Marvin Villanueva, deputy chief of RPDEU-6, said the confiscated drugs weighed around 205 grams, with a standard drug price of PHP 1,394,000.

Villanueva said both suspects had prior drug-related arrests.

Mark was arrested in 2017 and released in September 2025 after serving his sentence.

Jay was also arrested in 2017 and released from jail in 2020.

Villanueva said Jay, a beautician, was the main target of the operation.

He was already known to be involved in illegal drug activity in Arevalo.

Mark was previously reported to be from Los Angeles, California, but Villanueva clarified that he was born and raised in San Joaquin, Iloilo.

He had claimed to be adopted by an American couple.

Jay admitted to using illegal drugs but denied involvement in drug sales.

The suspects are now in police custody and will be charged with violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.