TWO recent anti-drug operations in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental have resulted in the arrest of two drug suspects and the seizure of some 4.6 kilos of suspected shabu worth over P30 million, Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director, Brigadier General Romano V. Cardiño told the Journal Group.

In a report to Philippine National Police chief, General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the official identified the arrested suspect as Riza Igdang alias Bong, 36.

Undercover officers from the Bacolod City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit headed by Lieutenant Colonel Albert H. Sy arrested the drug suspect past 11:30 p.m. last May 19 shortly after selling drugs to a poseur-buyer.

The suspect yielded P28.560 million worth of drugs during the operation.

Last Friday, Bacolod City policemen also arrested alias Tolits, 19, after he sold 200 grams of shabu worth P1.360 million to an undercover officer in Purok Lison in Bgy. 1.

Brig. Gen. Cardiño said the operation was conducted amid information that the accused is involved in large-scale drug trafficking activities in his neighborhood and nearby areas.

Recovered from the suspect were eight plastic packets containing the drugs and the buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000 bill.

Both accused are now being held in a Bacolod City police lock-up facility and facing criminal charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), said Brig. Gen. Cardiño.

He also expressed their firm commitment to track down individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, dismantle drug networks operating in the region, and protect communities from the destructive effects of illegal narcotics.

The official also reported the arrest of nine persons for their involvement in the transport and distribution of some P40.1 million worth of suspected smuggled tobacco products in Sitio Labugon in Bgy. Nagbo-alao in Basay, Negros Oriental last May 16.

The suspects are now facing charges for violation of RA 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Law, RA 10863 or An Act Modernizing Customs and Tariff Administration and RA 12022 or An Act defining Agricultural Economic.

Brig. Gen. Cardiño said that members of the PRO6 Regional Intelligence Division spearheaded the anti-smuggling operation with the support of the Basay Municipal Police Station, the Coast Guard Intelligence Group and the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Maritime Unit.

The operation, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, led to the arrest of the suspects as they were unloading cigarette boxes from a motorized boat locally known as’ junkong’ into a 10-wheeler closed van.

Confiscated during the operation were 700 master cases of Bosque Red and White cigarettes without graphic health warnings and lacking tax seals valued at P40.1 million.

The 54-year-old new Negros Island Region police director used to be a Zambales Police Provincial Office director, chief of the Bacoor City Police Station and Regional Intelligence Division chief of the National Capital Region Police Office.

He got his star-rank as Executive Officer of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership before he was designated as regional director by Gen. Nartatez last May 8.

Brig. Gen. Cardiño said it is his firm policy that every policeman in the region must be Seen with integrity, Appreciated through professionalism, Felt in action and must do Extra-ordinary police service or SAFE for short.

“This SAFE policy shall serve as the guiding pillars of my leadership and daily activities.

These principles are not merely ideals but standards that must be consistently demonstrated in our conduct, both in uniform and in private life. They define who we are as police officers and shape how the public perceives our organization,” he emphasized.

Brig. Gen. Cardiño also assured that his leadership will be guided by fairness, integrity and accountability.

“Decisions will be anchored on what is lawful, just, and beneficial to both our personnel and the communities we serve. I encourage every member of this Region to take pride in your role as public servants and to remain steadfast in fulfilling our sworn duty,” he said.