In a significant anti-drug operation, operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Western Visayas (RPDEU 6) conducted a successful buy-bust in Barangay Pescadores, Guimbal, Iloilo, on the evening of March 27, 2026. The operation resulted in the arrest of a high-value individual (HVI) and the seizure of approximately 370 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of P2,516,000.
Intelligence-Driven Operation Leads to Arrest
The arrest occurred around 9:20 p.m., following more than two months of meticulous surveillance and case buildup by law enforcement agencies. Authorities identified the suspect as alias Kent, a 39-year-old resident of Barangay Pescadores, who is listed as an HVI and has a prior arrest record for similar drug-related offenses.
Coordinated Efforts and Seized Evidence
The operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple units, including the RPDEU 6, Regional Intelligence Division in Western Visayas (RID 6), Philippine Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit in Western Visayas (PDEG SOU 6), and the Guimbal Municipal Police Station (MPS). During the bust, police confiscated four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and five knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing shabu, along with buy-bust money and other non-drug items.
Police Leadership Commends Operation
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), praised the operating units for their alertness and readiness. He stated, "We will not stop fighting against illegal drugs. This operation shows that our police force is alert and ready to fight criminality. Together, let us maintain a safe and peaceful community." He emphasized that the success stemmed from intensified intelligence monitoring and cooperation from community members, which were crucial in identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Campaign
The arrested individual is currently under police custody and will face charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This law imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment to death and fines ranging from P500,000 to P10,000,000. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustaining anti-illegal drug operations across Western Visayas, highlighting continued coordination among police units and the public to curb drug proliferation.
The PRO 6 underscored that this arrest is part of an ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, demonstrating the readiness of law enforcement to respond to criminal activities through intelligence-driven operations. The confiscated evidence will be submitted to a forensic laboratory for examination, while documentation and case filing are being prepared against the suspect. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help maintain peace and order in the region.
