By Perla Lena

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN. Drugs seized during a buy-bust operation in Iloilo City on Oct. 29, 2024. Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) Director, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, said Friday (Nov. 8, 2024) that they are continuously monitoring information that some drug personalities are offering support to candidates for the 2025 elections. (File photo by ICPO)

ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) said it has intensified its monitoring of suspected drug personalities offering or extending financial support to candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.

“We have continuous monitoring. We are doing our best,” PRO-6 Director, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, said in an interview Friday.

Wanky did not elaborate but emphasized that there is no let-up in the campaign against illegal drugs, as evidenced by their recent accomplishments.

“There should be no let-up in our operations. In the near future or in due time, we can eradicate, if not lessen, the presence of illegal drugs,” he added.

Wanky said their operatives are closely coordinating with their counterparts in Metro Manila, Mindanao, and Cebu, where drugs are reportedly being sourced from.

Last month, various police units in the region confiscated about 12,066 grams of suspected shabu and 2,013 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of PHP82 million.

Of the 246 operations, 317 drug suspects were apprehended.

The suspects are facing charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)