5 members of drug, gun gang fall

MANILA, Philippines – Five alleged members of a syndicate involved in drug pushing and gunrunning were arrested in Quezon City yesterday.

Reggie Reando and four others were arrested when Reando fled to a nearby shanty during a sting in Barangay Sauyo at around 3 p.m. Friday.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said its operatives seized nine sachets of shabu with a street value of P100,000, an improvised shotgun and drug paraphernalia from the four suspects.

Reando was caught selling an unlicensed .45 caliber Infinity pistol for P5,000 to an undercover police officer.

Emil Baltazar, Jay Cruz, Joy Orpilla, and Jon Jon Pilapil were arrested when Reando unwittingly led police officers to the shanty they were using as a hideout.

The QCPD also recovered a .22 caliber Armscor rifle and two katanas at Reando’s house in Sitio Kabuyao during a followup operation.

Superintendent Jay Agcoili, head of the QCPD’s District Special Operations Unit, said the suspects tested positive for drug use and were charged with violating Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspects were also charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, violation of the Omnibus Election Code and illegal possession of deadly weapon.