2 men arrested for drugs, guns

CEBU, Philippines - Two persons were arrested in separate buy-bust operations against loose firearms and illegal drugs in Danao City and the town of San Fernando.

In Danao City an estimated P28,000 worth of loose firearms were seized by the Provincial Intelligence Branch Thursday afternoon in Barangay Suba.

Operatives led by Insp. Rogelio Amoroso Jr. also arrested Lemuel de Dios for gun running.

Confiscated from de Dios were four .45 cal. pistols with magazines and the boodle money.

Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra, PIB chief, said they ordered 10 .45 cal. pistols, 10 revolvers and five KG9 submachineguns but they were only given four pistols as part of suspect’s strategy.

“Change na sila og strategy ‘ron kay if mo-order ka og 20 pieces itagi-tagi na nila og hatag in case dunay entrapment operation gamay ra ang makuha,” Albotra said.

Based on intelligence report of the PIB, De Dios takes custody of the firearms before these are sold to buyers.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador, said they are still monitoring other personalities involved in the said illegal activity.

Comendador said that loose firearms were possibly meant for criminals or politicians especially as the election is approaching.

“Bisan pa naa’y gun ban mobaligya gihapon ni sila and naay possibility nga mo-end up in the hands of politicians,” he said.

De Dios is temporarily detained at the Danao City stockade pending charges for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban.

As of yesterday, the police have arrested four persons and confiscated nine firearms.

In another operation, one of top drug suspects in San Fernando town was arrested by the Municipal Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group in an operation yesterday in Sitio Lakarun, Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando.

Police bought a small packet of shabu from Clifford Sabayton, 35, in exchange for P200 marked money which led to the arrest.

Two small packets of shabu were also recovered from Sabayton.

Senior Insp. Gerard Pelare, San Fernando chief, said Sabayton was placed under surveillance weeks before the operation was carried out.

Sabayton is now detained at the San Fernando police stockade pending charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, three persons including a barangay tanod were arrested by the police after they were caught using shabu at a shanty in Sitio Tubod, Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan town, before noon yesterday.

Police arrested Poblacion barangay tanod, Norman Taping, 49; Genaro Sasutana, 31; and Cristitoto Genolia, 26, both of Barangay Guimbawian after a report from a concerned citizen.

Recovered from suspects were two small packets of shabu, three pieces of tin foil and two disposable lighters.

PO3 Reynante Mahusay, of the Pinamungajan Police Station, said suspects are now detained at the Pinamungajan stockade pending the filing of charges against them.  –(FREEMAN)