Iggy Arroyo’s grandson, village chief nabbed for drugs in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Authorities arrested 3 people, including the grandson of the late Negros Occidental Fifth District representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr and a barangay official considered as a “high-value target” in a drug buy-bust operation here ‪Monday night‬, November 28.

The subject of the operation was Barangay 35 village chief Manuel Huelar Jr, a former player of the Negros Slashers in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.

Huelar’s companion, Christian Joseph Mijares; and Joshua Arroyo, who occupied a room beside Huelar’s, were also arrested.

Julius Navales, director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 18 (PDEA-18), confirmed that Arroyo is the grandson of the late congressman, who is a brother of former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.

Navales said that Joshua Arroyo is under the PDEA drug watchlist.

Huelar was arrested after he sold a sachet of shabu to someone posing as a buyer for P500. Police obtained another sachet of shabu worth P1,000 from Huelar,  while authorities recovered a sachet of shabu and drug paraphernalia from his companion.

The operation was in an inn at at Barangay Singcang-Airport.

Navales said Arroyo was in another room during the operation, but the commotion reportedly prompted him to open his door.

When he noticed the PDEA agent, Arroyo slammed the door, which reportedly caused the operative to accidentally fire his gun, hitting Arroyo’s hand, Navales said.

Arroyo, who sustained minor injuries, was brought to a hospital.

Authorities recovered from Arroyo’s room two sachets of shabu, and drug paraphernalia, Navales said.

Navales said PDEA has been monitoring the activities of Huelar for quite some time now, adding that they considered the village chief as a high-value target.

Huelar, for his part, denied the allegations, as he stressed that he didn’t engage in illegal drug transactions.

Charged, released

A day after the arrest, Huelar was charged with sale and possession of illegal drugs and Mijares, for attempt or conspiracy to commit unlawful acts related to drugs. 

Arroyo was released upon the recommendation of the city prosecutor, according to Navales.

“That’s the recommendation of the City Prosecutor. We can’t do anything about it,” he said, adding that Arroyo was given 10 days to file the counter-affidavit for further investigation.

He said that even Arroyo was already released from custody, he is still under probe. Navales also said that Arroyo was “released for further investigation.” – Rappler.com