By Mary Judaline Partlow

ARRESTED. Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) agents conduct an inventory on the suspected shabu seized from an incumbent barangay official in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Thursday (Sept. 25, 2025). The 49-year-old suspect, arrested during a buy-bust operation, is listed as a “high-value target,” according to the PDEA. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-Negros Oriental Facebook)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Law enforcers here arrested on Thursday night a barangay chairperson who is also allegedly a “high-value target” among suspected drug personalities in Negros Oriental.

The suspect was arrested during a buy-bust operation at Purok Salampati in Barangay Pulangtubig following weeks of surveillance, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday.

“We closely monitored this person for weeks to ascertain the reports we received regarding his alleged illegal drug activities,” PDEA-Negros Oriental provincial chief Elmer Ebona said.

Aside from surveillance, the 49-year-old suspect was also the subject of previous “test buys,” Ebona said.

Confiscated from the suspect were 18 plastic sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of five grams.

Charges for illegal possession and sale of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act will be filed against the suspect within the day.

Ebona said they are now establishing the barangay official’s supply source as the suspect is not cooperating with authorities. (PNA)