3 Traffic violators evade checkpoint, arrested with guns

CEBU, Philippines - Three men who tried to evade a police checkpoint were arrested by the Highway Patrol Group-7 after a brief chase in Minglanilla town yesterday morning.

Suspects Fil Canceran, 34, Winster Heraldez, 28, and Junifer Potestas, 22, also yielded unlicensed firearms and drug paraphernalia.

HPG-7 personnel were reportedly conducting a checkpoint in Minglanilla when they noticed a Mitsubish Montero, which has its original license plate number apparently concealed with a temporary one.

The police flagged down the Montero, but instead of stopping, the vehicle sped away.

A brief car chase ensued and the HPG-7 personnel cornered the Montero with the three suspects onboard.

The police found a KG9 pistol, three cal. 45 pistols and drug paraphernalia inside the SUV.

A camouflage police jacket was also seized from the suspects.

The suspects, who allegedly work as cock handlers in a game farm, came from Naga City and were bound for Talisay City to look for a carwash shop.

Inspector Miguel Ngo, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Highway Patrol team, said they will conduct a background check on the three suspects, who claimed that they were bringing the guns for self-defense.

“Duna kuno ni silay mga kontra maong gadala sila sa mga armas,” Ngo said.

Ngo said they are now also on the process of tracing the owner of the vehicle after determining that none of the three owns it.

Reporters tried to get the side of the suspects but they declined to give any statements.  (FREEMAN)