TACLOBAN CITY-At two high-value individuals (HVIs) and seven other suspected drug personalities were arrested in separate anti-narcotics operations across the region from May 20-22, 2024.
“Our dedicated police force is committed to fulfilling its duty by thoroughly investigating the source of these illicit drugs,” said Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) director Brigadier General Reynaldo Pawid.
In a statement to the local media, Pawid lauded the different Philippine National Police (PNP) units in the region and the collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Eastern Visayas for the arrest of the suspects.
“Our relentless pursuit of justice for our community will persist until those responsible are apprehended and brought to face the full extent of the law, ensuring that these criminals are held accountable for their actions,” he added.
The HVIs were identified as alias Dod, a 44-year-old jail guard residing in Hilongos, Leyte; and alias Cris, 40, a resident of Allen, Northern Samar.
Dod was arrested by the combined elements of PDEA-Southern Leyte and the Matalom Municipal Police Station.
Recovered from the suspect were five small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu and one caliber .45 pistol during the buy-bust operation in Barangay Punong, Matalom, Leyte on May 21.
Cris yielded four sachets of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation led by the Allen Municipal Police Station operatives at Barangay Sabang, Zone II, in Allen town on May 20.
The police regional command identified the seven other drug suspects as street-level individuals.
The onsite marking and inventory of the recovered evidence were conducted in the presence of invited witnesses and the suspects, according to the police regional command.
The actual weight and value of the confiscated drug items are yet to be determined by the Regional Forensics Unit-8, it added.
The arrested suspects will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
(RONALD O. REYES)
