A former mayor of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, was arrested after authorities seized nearly half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Calipahan, Talavera, in the early hours of Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Police identified the suspect as a 53-year-old former vice mayor who later served as mayor of Sto. Domingo from 2007 to 2010. His identity was withheld pending the filing of formal charges.

According to a report submitted by the Talavera Municipal Police Station chief PLt. Col. Rogelio L. Pacificar Jr. to Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office Director Col. Heryl “Daguit” L. Bruno, the operation was conducted by anti-illegal drugs operatives after receiving information about the suspect’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

During the operation, one of the operatives acted as a poseur buyer and was able to purchase suspected illegal drugs in exchange for ₱1,000 in marked money. Following the transaction, police arrested the suspect and recovered the marked money along with five additional sachets of suspected shabu.

Authorities estimated the total value of the seized drugs at ₱476,000.

The suspect was immediately taken to the Talavera Police Station for booking and detention and was charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police said the former mayor is considered a High Value Individual (HVI) and is currently a resident of the town of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.