7 drug suspects arrested in Iloilo town raid

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Seven illegal drug trade suspects were arrested in a police operation in Brgy. Balabag in Pavia town in Iloilo 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Senior Insp. Ryan Doseo said they raided the home of suspects Daniel Dalisay and Elaine Lopez, alyas Princes, on the strength of a court-issued search warrant, for alleged drug pushing and maintaining a drug den. Dalisay was able to evade arrest but Lopez and six others, including a minor, were arrested.

The other arrested suspected were identified as Nydward Soquitoso, 20 of Barangay (village) Amparo, Pavia; Edwin Rex Pilar, 27, of Housing Blagabag, Pavia; a certain Kian, 16, of Barangay Banglid, Sta. Barbara; Mark Anthony Violanda, 29,  Barangay Balabag; Amadeo Espinosa, 26, of Blk. 12 Sibikway Lapuz, Iloilo City; and Ignacio Silao, 30, of Housing Blagabag in Pavia.

Doseo confirmed that the couple had been in the police watch list for some time but cops had a hard time making an arrest because the suspectsd’ residence was inside a subdivision and they had sympathizers in the area.

“We have been monitoring their operation but its hard to penetrate the area because they have supporters. This prompted us to apply for a search warrant,” Doseo confirmed.

In an interview over RMN-Iloilo, “Princess” admitted selling drugs but clarified that lately, their operations had become small-time when compared to before. She claimed she did not encourage drug users to use their place for their drug sessions.

“I would scold them. It’s not like before.  Some of them have family problems and are just staying with us,” clarified Princess.

Recovered from the area were six sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), drug paraphernalia, an improvised shotgun, 6 cellular phones, a small plastic bag believed to be used in repacking the illegal drugs, a notebook containing lists of namjes believed to be frequenting the alleged drug den. (Joel Franco, Inquirer Visayas)