Motorist nabbed for gun possession

A 31-year-old driver of an owner-type jeep was apprehended for gun possession and driving without license yesterday, as police stepped up drive against loose firearms in connection with recent ambushes in Metro Manila.

Sonny Basalo, jobless, of 2nd Avenue, Caloocan City, was chanced upon by operatives of the Manila Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) as he stopped on a red light signal at the corner of R. Papa and Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila past 2 a.m.

POs2 Alexander Suan and Russel Antonio were riding in tandem on a scooter on their Night Watch Patrol operation when they passed by the suspect’s vehicle.

Antonio noticed a gun lying at the driver’s seat, but the suspect immediately reached for it and placed on his pocket.

When accosted, the suspect admitted he was not a police officer. When asked for documents, the suspect failed to present any.

The cops then seized the gun, a caliber .22 magnum with bullets. The suspect was also found to be driving without license.

CIDU chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula has instructed his men to be on the lookout for loose firearms and persons riding in tandem on motorcycles, following recent ambushes of prominent personalities in Metro Manila, including the assassination of photojournalist Albert Orsolino in Caloocan City last May 16.

"Though there have been no sensational ambushes in Manila for quite a while, we do not want to keep our guard down. I ordered my men to be always alert against possible assassins," Sapitula said.

Last week, CIDU operatives also arrested two suspected gunrunners following a surveillance operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The suspects, identified as Roberto Tubig, 36, of Central Park Condominium, Pasay City, and Jogie Santos, 30, of Sta. Cruz, Manila, were nabbed while apparently waiting for their prospective buyer, according to Sapitula.

Seized from Tubig was an unlicensed 9mm pistol with 10 bullets.

CIDU operatives also arrested a suspected holdupper and an alleged pickpocket following the police anti-crime campaign in Divisoria.

The suspects, identified as Rodrigo Valero, 19, of Tondo, and Lorilyn Mendoza, 26, of Quiapo, were known recidivists and apprehended while mingling with the Divisoria shoppers, Sapitula said.

The apprehension of the suspects was a result of the implementation of "Oplan Kapkap" in connection with the "Safe Ka Sa Divisoria" campaign of the MPD.