The newly created Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) kicked off its operations arresting three persons, including a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad, in separate anti-drug operations in Siquijor and Negros Occidental.
Records from PDEA showed that joint operatives from PDEA-NIR Siquijor Provincial Office and local police arrested a 23-year-old SK councilor, alias “Lhemar,” in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Ibabao, Siquijor, Siquijor, on Monday, July 14.
Confiscated from him were two sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 0.15 grams, a mobile phone, a motorcycle, and marked buy-bust money.
A day later, alias “Arco,” 43, unemployed, and alias “Benjie,” 47, a tricycle driver were arrested in a similar operation in Zone 1, Jacinto Street, Brgy. 3, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.
Seized from them were eight sachets of suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 55 grams with estimated street drug price of P400,000.
All three suspects will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which carries penalties of life imprisonment and fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez said the operations marked the official activation of PDEA-NIR, following the enactment of Republic Act 12000 or the Negros Island Region Act in June 2024.
The new regional office, led by Director Melvin Estoque, is tasked with anti-drug operations in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
“The opening of PDEA-NIR strengthens our regional presence and allows us to more effectively protect Negrenses from the threat of illegal drugs,” Nerez said.*