Man arrested with firearm, drugs

CEBU, Philippines — A 39-year-old resident of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City was arrested Tuesday morning by virtue of a search warrant for violation of illegal possession of firearms.

The suspect was identified as Felix Charles Ramos, a resident of sitio Mahayahay of the barangay.

The operation was conducted by the members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Cebu City Field Unit together with the Regional Intelligence Unit-7 (RIU-7) and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Police recovered from the suspect one unit .45 caliber pistol with a piece of steel magazine, and six pieces of live ammunition.

The suspect will also face charges for the violation of Republic Act 9165 after the police also recovered pieces of evidence such as six pieces of disposable lighters, two pieces of rolled aluminum tin foil, assorted small-size empty sachets with residue, and assorted used aluminum tin foils used as drug paraphernalia.

A police investigation revealed that the suspect, who owns an unlicensed firearm, reportedly indiscriminately fires his gun, especially when he is under the influence of liquor.

More so, the police report revealed that the suspect also threatened the collection agents of a motorcycle company when he was unable to pay for his monthly mortgage.

After a series of surveillance operations, the CIDG-7 applied for a search warrant against the suspect, which resulted in his arrest.

The operation was also part of the CIDG's flagship project, Oplan Paglalansag Omega, the agency's rigorous campaign against loose firearms.

The suspect is currently detained at the CIDG office while waiting for the filing of a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms Law, and violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — (FREEMAN)