A barangay councilor in Clarin who is considered a high-value target by authorities and a village watchman (barangay tanod) in Valencia were arrested in separate buy-bust operations on Sunday.

Clarin Police Station chief Inspector Fernando Peroramas identified the village councilor as Arman Zamora, 37, a resident of Barangay Bacani of said town.

According to Peroramas, the suspect is also a noted drug pusher in neighboring town Tubigon and had surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

However, Zamora is believed to have resumed his illegal drug activities when President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the police’s anti-drug operations last week.

Zamora was allegedly caught in possession of one medium-sized packet of shabu during the operation conducted by the municipal police’s anti-narcotics unit in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Meanwhile, active barangay tanod Alex Balatero, 35, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Valencia led by the town’s police chief Senior Insp. Ardiolito Cabagnot.

Balatero, a resident of Canduao Oriental, Valencia was allegedly caught selling shabu worth P500 to a police poseur-buyer.

The suspect reportedly tried to escape but was eventually cornered inside his home and frisked by operatives who found nine other packets of shabu in his possession.

Both alleged drug dealers have been detained at the lock-up jails of Valencia and Clarin pending the filing of charges against them. (Rey Tutas and Weli Maestrado)