No bail for men caught with ‘shabu’

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail against two men arrested in Balamban for illegal possession of shabu.

State prosecutor Jay Paradiang charged Eusebio “Ramil” Piloto, 44, and Hadje Piodos, 37, both residents of Barangay Buanoy, Balamban before the trial court after the latter refused to undergo preliminary investigation.

During inquest proceeding yesterday, Piloto and Piodos chose not to file counter-affidavit to negate the allegations filed against them.

Aside from the illegal possession of shabu, the two were also charged for illegal possession of firearms. Piloto was also charged for illegal possession of explosive.

In an interview, the respondents denied the allegations.

Piloto and Piodos were arrested on Wednesday through a hot pursuit operation conducted by the joint teams of Toledo and Balamban police. The respondents were arrested in Barangay Lamesa, Balamban.

Senior Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Matunog of  Toledo City Police Station told The FREEMAN Piloto and Piodos were under hot pursuit operation after Venicar Alipuyo, secretary of modern gas vehicle firm, was allegedly robbed by them on Tuesday in Barangay Ilihan.

On Thursday, Matunog said their station filed robbery complaint before the Toledo City Prosecutor’s Office against the respondents for allegedly carting P50,000 and bank checks from Alipuyo.

During inquest proceeding, respondents chose not to file counter-affidavit to the robbery case. Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

Based on report, during the arrest, the police recovered AR15 rifle with two magazines and 24 9mm bullets, two pieces .45 pistols with magazines and 14 bullets, a hand grenade and two big packets of suspected shabu. —/JMD (FREEMAN)