Western Visayas drug seizures up 89% in Q1 2026

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The value of illegal drugs confiscated in Western Visayas reached PHP 184.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, an 89.42 percent increase from the same period last year.

From Jan. 1 to March 31, 2026, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) reported that 27.166 kilograms of shabu were seized in 404 anti-narcotics operations, with a standard drug price of PHP 184,734,000.

For the same period in 2025, 14 kilograms of shabu were seized, valued at PHP 97,500,000.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) accounted for 51.4 percent of total seized drugs, with units confiscating 13.960 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP 94,928,000.

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) led all units in the number of anti-drug operations at 174, followed by IPPO with 118. In terms of volume, ICPO seized 6.326 kilograms of shabu worth PHP 43,000,000.

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6) conducted 24 operations and seized 4.865 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP 33,000,000.

Other provincial units also contributed to the regional total: Capiz PPO seized PHP 6,970,000 worth of shabu in 34 operations; Antique PPO, PHP 5,920,000; Guimaras PPO, PHP 503,200; and Aklan PPO, PHP 311,100.

The operations resulted in the arrest of 507 drug personalities — 199 high-value individuals (HVIs), 299 street-level pushers, and 13 unlisted individuals.

PRO-6 director Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan attributed the increase in drug seizures partly to stronger police-community partnerships.

He also noted that Western Visayas’ archipelagic geography makes it a transshipment point for illegal drugs.

“We have already determined their points of entry. Usually, mga port areas sa Iloilo province like Estancia,” Ligan said.

He maintained, however, that no unusual spike in demand had been observed.

“Usually, in our law of supply and demand, when there’s a high demand, there would also be high supply. But in this case, bumulusol lang talaga ang supply, which were able to intercept,” he said.

Ligan said the higher seizure figures should not be counted against the barangay drug clearing program, noting that the region has around 97 percent of its barangays classified as drug-cleared.

He attributed the improved confiscation numbers in part to the cooperation of barangay officials in the campaign.

“Ayaw rin kasi nilang masali ulit sa listahan ng drug-affected barangays,” he said.

Ligan assured that operations would continue with the goal of arresting more drug personalities.