Facebook post leads to arrest of gun-for-hire, drug pusher

CEBU, Philippines -  A notorious gun-for-hire and drug personalities were arrested by the police in Madridejos town after their cohort posted pictures of them carrying firearms in a social networking site.

Operatives of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch in coordination with the Madridejos Police Station apprehended Harold "Along" Dequitos, 27, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Enriqueta Belarmino of the Regional Trial Court Branch 57.

Dequitos has been charged without bail for anti-drug abuse charges.

His cohorts, Joseph Morata, 23; Jose Mari Tiu, 27 and a 16-year old boy, all Barangay Tejero, Cebu City, were also arrested for other charges.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, head of the CIB, said they have received complaints from residents in Tejero that they were bothered since Dequitos and his cohorts would fire their guns at night.

"Matod pa ni Dequitos siya mangunay og pabuto. Mangatol kuno sila ug dili mahimutang kun dili kapabuto. Lami daw kaayo ipabuto labi na human sila makahuthot," he said.

The CIB was able to trace the whereabouts of Dequitos and his cohorts after the minor suspect posted photos of them holding firearms on his Facebook account.

The police recovered four sticks of marijuana, a medium-sized pack of dried marijuana leaves, an improvised knife, one caliber .25 micro Ingram with one magazine loaded with four live ammunition, one caliber .357 revolver loaded with four live ammunition, one caliber .38 revolver loaded with five live ammunition, seven live ammunition for caliber .45 revolver and 15 live ammunition for caliber .38 from the four suspects.

Santander said three counts of murder, illegal possession of firearms, explosives, and drugs will be filed against the four suspects.

Tiu admitted Dequitos was their boss.

Santander said Dequitos and his cohorts are suspected to be involved in the series of shooting incidents in Tejero last April 3 and April 9 and in the killing of Serry Soco Tapales, a waiter, on February 13.

Dequitos was imprisoned on April 2012 for murder and illegal possession of firearms.

In July of the same year, he reportedly stabbed a fellow inmate.

Dequitos was arrested previously for his alleged involvement in an illegal drug but he was able to post bail.

Dequitos, who has been in and out of prison, is considered to be a leader of a gun-for-hire gang and a bigtime drug pusher in the city. (FREEMAN)