The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) is “alarmed” by the number of government officials and workers arrested in anti-drug operations conducted in Western Visayas.
According to data from the regional office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) , a total of 144 operations were carried out in the region from February 1 to 28 this year.
The operations led to the arrest of 184 suspects, 70 of whom are tagged as high-value individuals (HVIs) and 114 are listed as street-level individuals (SLIs).
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Josefino Ligan said among those arrested are local government officials and workers, including a punong barangay, a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson, and a barangay tanod.
“It is alarming, most especially because we have government officials being caught,” he stated.
Ligan urged those involved in illegal drug activities to make a choice: “It is your own decision where you want to be—behind bars or living a peaceful life. For us, our operations will be continuous.”
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“If they want to continue, then in time they will be arrested. You will eventually be caught because evil never triumphs. Everything is possible; it just takes time. Even if you hide for years, we will find you,” he said.
The month-long intensified campaign resulted in the confiscation of approximately 11 kilograms of illegal drugs, with a combined estimated market value of P74.87 million in shabu and marijuana.
One of the most significant blows to the local drug trade occurred on February 20 in the town of Balasan, Iloilo.
During a targeted operation in Barangay Maya, authorities seized 2.06 kilograms of shabu valued at P14.08 million.
After its intelligence and debriefings of arrested suspects, the PRO-6 identified the National Capital Region (NCR) as the primary source of illegal drugs entering the region.
Ligan noted that the region’s geographical location, with numerous entry points, provides several “porous” areas for smugglers.
“The illegalists are always looking for ways to get in, and we are also looking for ways to stop them,” Ligan added.
He confirmed that while there is no single “drug lord” based in Western Visayas, various personalities operate independently.
The PRO-6 continues to implement its dual strategy of supply reduction and demand reduction.
Ligan revealed that they have already determined the “centers of drug distribution” in the region and are now closely coordinating with respective local government units (LGUs) to dismantle these networks.
“Drugs are inherently evil, and the situation is alarming. We will continue to enforce the law against every person involved,” he stressed.IMT
