P2.8M Shabu Seized in Estancia's Biggest Bust This Month: Pattern of Operations in Poblacion Zone 2
ESTANCIA, ILOILO — Operatives of the Estancia Municipal Police Station (MPS) arrested a 32-year-old man and seized 415 grams of suspected shabu worth P2,823,292 in a buy-bust operation past 11:00 PM on September 21 in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2.
Police identified the suspect only as alias "Dodoy," a resident of the same barangay. According to a media interview with Police Lieutenant Adrian Y. Balingod, chief of Estancia MPS, the operation was led by his team and yielded three knot-tied packs, three small heat-sealed sachets, and one buy-bust item, plus P20,000 in marked money.
The suspect is now in the custody of Estancia MPS and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165.
This latest haul is now the largest recorded by Estancia MPS for September, but it is not an isolated case. Records show Barangay Poblacion Zone 2 has been the focal point of sustained anti-drug operations for more than a year.
PREVIOUS OPERATIONS ON RECORD IN POBLACION ZONE 2:
1. September 1, 2026 — Purok Paghidaet, Poblacion Zone 2
Just 20 days earlier, operatives inventoried approximately 230 grams of suspected shabu valued at around P1.6 million seized in a buy-bust operation in Purok Paghidaet, Barangay Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia. Four suspects were arrested while three others escaped. The operation was conducted at around 7:45 p.m. and led to the apprehension of alias "Panggoy," "Maymay," "Toto," and "Toytoy." Notably, police said three companions who escaped were aliases "Tato," "Alfie," and "Dodoy."
2. June 21, 2026 — Clement Street, Poblacion Zone 2
On June 21, 2026, five individuals including a High-Value Individual (HVI) were arrested after a buy-bust operation in Estancia yielded P2.47 million worth of suspected illegal drugs. The operation happened at 2:11 AM along Clement Street, Poblacion Zone 2 and was led by PLT Adrian Y. Baligod in coordination with multiple units.
Recovered were approximately 364 grams of suspected illegal drugs with an estimated street value of P2,475,200 and P20,600 in marked buy-bust money. Those arrested were identified as alias "Pirot" 43, HVI resident of Clement Street, "Jo" 52 of Zone 1, "Deo" 36 of Clement Street, "Yan" 38 of Tacbuyan, and "Berto" 26 of Bulaqueña.
3. August 10, 2025 — Poblacion Zone 2
Estancia MPS has been active in the IPPO anti-drug push. On August 10, 2025, the IPPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit working with Estancia MPS arrested 2 HVIs and 2 street-level individuals in Brgy Poblacion Zone 2. The operation yielded about 280 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1.9 million.
The repeated operations point to a pattern. Police have previously noted that Estancia's coastal geography and its role as a northern Iloilo port make Poblacion Zone 2 a transit and distribution point, which explains the concentration of stings in Purok Paghidaet and Clement Street.
With the September 21 bust pushing the total seized in Poblacion Zone 2 alone to over P7 million in the last four months, Estancia MPS has cited community tips as critical. The station was recently recognized with double honors at Pagdayaw 2026 for its anti-drug and anti-loose firearms campaigns.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.