Iloilo cops’ next target identified

ILOILO City , Philippines  – Two down, several more to go.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 is training its sights on Ernesto Bolivar, now the city’s most wanted drug dealer following the killing of alleged Western Visayas drug lord Richard Prevendido and his son last week.

Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, Western Visayas police chief, symbolically placed Bolivar at the top of the region’s wanted list by putting his mugshot above the crossed out picture of Prevendido.

Bolivar, 41, is considered a sub-group leader of the Prevendido drug ring. Bolivar used to reside in Barangay Guinacas in Iloilo’s Pototan town. His rank in the illicit trade was said to have risen after Prevendido and son Jason were killed during a weekend raid inside a subdivision at Barangay Balabago in Jaro, Iloilo City.

He allegedly operates in Iloilo province while Prevendido and his other core members made the city their territory.

Senior Inspector Bonifacio Alabe Jr., Pototan police chief, said Bolivar, while working for Prevendido, also used to get his drug supply from the Odicta drug group—another known syndicate in the city led by Melvin Odicta Sr. and wife Meriam before the couple was killed Aug. 29 last year.

He added that Bolivar is allegedly also into contract killing.

Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, PRO-6 spokesperson, said there were reports that Bolivar used to be Odicta’s hatchet man.

 “But from what we heard, almost all of his involvement in gun-fore-hire activities did not see the light of day in court,” Gorero said.

He added that the police raided Bolivar’s house, which was allegedly used as a drug den, on June 9, 2014. At least nine persons, including Bolivar, were arrested. The raid also yielded 19 sachets of suspected shabu, two caliber .45 pistols, an M16 rifle, and ammunition.

Alabe recalled that Bolivar was allegedly involved in the killing of his partner’s husband. The case did not progress as it was allegedly settled.