By Jennifer P. Rendon
So far, so good.
Since Colonel Joeresty Coronica took over the helm of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on January 27, 2023, the unit has mounted 15 anti-illegal drug operations.
And Coronica said it’s just the start of delivering his vow for a revitalized campaign against illegal drugs.
In the coming weeks, the new Iloilo City police chief committed that more illegal drug peddlers would be sent behind bars.
“Sa mga durogista dira, before kamo mag-antus sa presuhan or kungano pa man inyo madangtan, mag-untat na kamo,” Coronica said.
On February 11 alone, ICPO units conducted three anti-illegal drug operations.
One operation was conducted at 1:10 a.m. at Barangay Benedicto, Jaro district which led to the arrest of five persons.
Arrested were Rodel Bayoneta Sr., 46; Christian Magallanes, 37; and Ronald Palomar, 44, all residents of Barangay Benedicto, Jaro.
Also collared were Edmund Bedia, 34, of Barangay Bagongbong, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and Joebert Amolong, 50, of Barangay Desamparados, Jaro.
During the operation, brothers Rodel Bayoneta Jr., 22, and Romel Bayoneta, 20, both residents of Benedictine village eluded arrest.
It was gathered that Rodel Jr. was the target of the operation conducted by the Iloilo City Police Station 3 and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6.
Recovered during the operation were the P8,100 marked money and seven plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing 30 grams with an estimated standard drug price of P204,000.
Both Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, and Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered Coronica to reinvigorate ICPO’s campaign against illegal drugs.
