Two barangay chairmen in Iloilo were arrested for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Members of the Iloilo Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) arrested a barangay chairman accused of involvment in the illegal drug trade.
Ed Martin Alconga, 39 years old, is the barangay chairman of Tuble, San Dionisio, iloilo.
The suspect was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Devera, Sara town evening on January 15, 2026. Seized from the suspect is close to a kilo of suspected shabu with street value worth P6.5 million.
According to the chief of the PDEU, Major Dadje Delima, Alconga is a "bodegero," or one who has “runners” who work for him in the distribution of the illegal drugs.
However, when the volume of the transaction is huge, Alconga would reportedly distribute the illegal drugs himself.
“Isang magulang ang nag-complain sa atin at nag-message sa atin na accordingly na isinasama ni Kap ang isang bata. After niyan, nasundan siguro nila at umamin na pinapagamit ng punong barangay ng droga,” Delima said.
Alconga’s involvement in illicit activity was confirmed via intensified police monitoring.
“Sinundan natin ang activities ng ating punong barangay at indeed, na-dig up natin na indeed nag-e-engage sa paggamit at pagbebenta ng iligal na droga,” Delima added.
The suspect reportedly sources out his supply of illegal drugs from the Municipality of Estancia, from the Province of Capiz, and from Manila.
Earlier, a barangay chairman was also arrested in a drug buy-bust operation.
The barangay chairman of Canauili, Janiuay was arrested on January 7.
Suspected shabu worth P2.7 million and dried marijuana leaves were confiscated from the barangay chairman.
The involvement of barangay chairmen in the illegal drug trade has upset Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.
“Yes, meron tayong mga kapitan (punong barangay) tayo na nahuli. Ngunit masasabi nating that is not the general whole. May dalawa tayo, we have 1,721 barangay captains and the good news is kung mahuli ang kapitan na lumalabag at makulong siya, he can be replaced,” Defensor said.
He added that police intelligence monitoring needs to be intensified further.
