ILOILO CITY — February 17, 2026. A barangay captain in northern Iloilo province was arrested in a buy-bust operation that yielded more than ₱1.5 million worth of suspected shabu.

Police identified the suspect as Kap Redan, 52, barangay captain of Bondulan in San Dionisio town. Operatives of the San Dionisio Municipal Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Team, led by Police Captain Maria Rosela Buenvenida, seized 222 grams of shabu during the operation on Sunday night.

Authorities said the suspect was tagged as a high-value individual (HVI) in the regional drug watchlist.

Investigators revealed that the barangay captain had allegedly been sourcing illegal drugs from Estancia, Iloilo, and distributing them in San Dionisio. The arrest came after nearly two years of surveillance, which was initiated following reports from concerned citizens about his alleged involvement in the drug trade.

Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, commended the operating units for the successful arrest. “This achievement is not only a success for us as police officers, but a victory for the community in our fight against illegal drugs,” he said.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. expressed disappointment over the incident, saying it is “unfortunate and deeply disappointing” when barangay officials are implicated in illegal drug activities.

The suspect is now facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Authorities stressed that the arrest highlights the continuing challenge of illegal drugs in the region and the need for vigilance, especially when local officials themselves are involved.