By Ma. Irish Joy M. Sabio, Intern

Mikael Nicholas Zayco, a member of the prominent Zayco political clan, was among the seven arrested, including members of other prominent families, following a buy-bust operation at a hotel in Bacolod City, Wednesday evening.
Police arrested Dindo Barcillo from Silay City, the primary subject of the bust and a high-value target, alongside Nico Manuel Luiz Lizares, Carl Ocampo, Marvin Magno, Mariano Villarosa, and Robert John Hermana.
According to Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) acting director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, the suspects were arrested in an operation conducted by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR), and Police Station 1 (PS1).
Confiscated from the suspects were around 30 grams of shabu, with a street value of P700,000; drug paraphernalia; and firearms.
Yesterday morning, the suspects were brought to the Bacolod City Hall of Justice to face inquest proceedings for illegal drugs charges and illegal possession of firearms./WDJ