Village councilor, two others arrested in Negros Oriental drug den raid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 29-year-old village councilor was arrested for allegedly operating a drug den in Sitio Nagbagang, Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Friday, March 20.

Investigation Agent 1 Keith Capili, spokesperson of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region, said authorities had been monitoring the suspect, identified only as Kagawad “Daniel,” since last year after he was reported as an alleged drug pusher.

PDEA-NIR director Melvin Estoque said Daniel is the first barangay official arrested for a drug-related offense in the region this year and was reportedly using a family-owned house as a drug den.

He is tagged as a high-value individual.

A high-value individual in Philippine anti-drug operations refers to a person identified by law enforcement as a significant target due to the scale of their alleged drug activities, their position in a drug network, or their influence within a community.

During the buy-bust operation, two other individuals were arrested: “Alex,” 29, a call center agent from Bayawan City, and “Sheldon,” 23, a laborer.

Another suspect, identified as “Joseph,” remains at large and is currently the subject of a manhunt.

Seized during the operation were 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 20 grams with an estimated value of PHP 200,000.

Authorities also confiscated drug paraphernalia such as improvised glass tooters, aluminum foil strips, a disposable lighter, a pouch, and a cellular phone.

A Glock .43 firearm loaded with seven rounds of ammunition was also recovered from Daniel.

Estoque said authorities are still verifying whether the recovered firearm is licensed.

Under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, possession of an unlicensed firearm is a criminal offense that carries penalties of up to 12 years in prison, with heavier penalties imposed if the firearm is used in the commission of another crime.

Following Daniel’s arrest, Estoque warned barangay officials involved in illegal drugs that PDEA will intensify its operations to dismantle drug networks and protect communities.

He added that the agency will coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman for possible administrative charges against Daniel, while criminal charges for illegal drug violations are being prepared against him and his co-accused.

The PDEA-NIR is also investigating the source of the seized drugs and possible links of the suspects to a larger drug group.