SEIZED DRUGS. Operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 seize 730 grams of shabu worth PHP4.96 million in a buy-bust in Barangay Balabag, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo on Jan. 31, 2024). The Police Regional Office 6 reported Thursday (Feb. 1) that over PHP5 million worth of shabu was seized in anti-drug operations Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of RPDEU 6)
ILOILO CITY – Anti-drug operations Wednesday night here and in the province of Iloilo resulted in the seizure of over PHP5 million worth of shabu and the arrest of three drug personalities, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) said Thursday.
In a report, PRO6 said 730 grams of shabu worth PHP4.96 million were seized by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU6) in Barangay Balabag, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo from live-in partners identified as alias “Dindo” and alias “Gigi,” both high-value individuals.
Another operation launched by the Iloilo City Police Station 4 in Barangay Taal in Molo district in Iloilo City led to the seizure of about 15 grams of shabu valued at PHP102,000, and the arrest of a certain alias “Joe.”
The suspects are now in police custody pending the filing of cases for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PRO6 regional director Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor said the campaign to eradicate drugs in the communities exemplifies the dedication of the police in maintaining the peace and security of the region.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens,” he said.
Security preps for the feast of Our Lady of Candles
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Police (ICPO) is ready with its plan to ensure the security of thousands of devotees from across the region who are expected to flock at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral for the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) on Feb. 2.
ICPO Director Col. Joeresty Coronica said they will put up police assistance desks within the vicinity of the cathedral and other strategic areas to help in emergency cases.
Personnel will be deployed to help in traffic and emergency response on busy streets, commercial centers, tourist areas, and other places of convergence, while mobile patrol units will be dispatched in crime-prone areas.
"Coordination has been made with our force multipliers, other law enforcement agencies, as well as our village chiefs for the deployment of Barangay Peacekeeping Actions Teams (BPATs) to augment our personnel in their campaign against crime during these religious gatherings," Coronica said.
The Feast of the Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria is one of the most celebrated religious events in Iloilo City, with thousands of Marian devotees professing how their lives were touched as a result of their devotion to Mama Mary.
The Marian image was “canonically crowned” by Pope John Paul II on February 20, 1981, and named “Patroness of Western Visayas´ on April 21, 1982. It was elevated into a national shrine on July 6, 2011. (PNA)
