Two persons nabbed, PHP 1.02M ‘shabu’ seized in Iloilo City stings

Authorities arrested two high-value individuals and seized approximately 150 grams of suspected shabu worth a combined PHP 1.02 million in two separate buy-bust operations conducted hours apart in Iloilo City on April 27 and 28, 2026.

In the first operation, operatives nabbed a suspect identified by the alias “Bongbong,” 37, at Zone 7, Barangay Don Esteban, Lapuz, around 7:35 p.m. on April 27. Authorities recovered approximately 85 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 578,000 based on the Standard Drug Price.

Seized from Bongbong were 13 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and several non-drug items. The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said the suspect, a Lapuz resident, is listed as a high-value individual operating in the Lapuz and La Paz districts.

Investigators said Bongbong has a pending robbery case and is currently out on bail.

The Lapuz operation followed three weeks of surveillance by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the ICPO, in coordination with the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the Special Weapons and Tactics Team-ICPO, and Police Station 8’s Station Drug Enforcement Team.

Less than five hours later, at around 12:05 a.m. on April 28, operatives arrested another high-value individual using the alias “Reb-reb” in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Legaspi, City Proper.

The CDEU, backed by the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and Iloilo City Police Station 1, confiscated approximately 65 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP 442,000, along with buy-bust money and several non-drug items.

Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) Regional Director Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan commended the operating units and reaffirmed the regional command’s stance on the anti-narcotics campaign.

“This successful operation underscores our unwavering commitment to rid our communities of illegal drugs. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence and enforcement efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public. We also urge the community to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities in reporting illegal activities,” Ligan said of the Lapuz arrest.

On the Legaspi operation, Ligan said: “We will sustain our aggressive yet lawful operations to ensure the safety and security of the public. I commend our personnel for their dedication and vigilance in carrying out their duties.”

Both suspects are under police custody and will face charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The offenses carry the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from PHP 500,000 to PHP 10 million.