Iloilo barangay exec nabbed in drug sting

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A barangay official who was in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency narco list was arrested in a police operation here.

Barangay Kagawad Gemma Calzado, 53, of Kasing-Kasing in Molo was taken into custody on Saturday after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) for P1,200 to a police asset.

Senior Inspector Kennith Bermejo, Philippine National Police Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6 team leader, said it took them months to arrest Calzado, who won as barangay councilor after her term ended as barangay captain.

“We had used different assets to transact with her but she declined,” Bermejo said.

Also confiscated from Calzado were eight sachets of suspected shabu and a pouch containing P1,400 in cash.