Father, son, 6 others nabbed in Nueva Ecija drug bust

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines  – Eight suspected drug pushers, including a 70-year-old man and his son, were arrested by police in a series of raids here on Saturday, police said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu, provincial police director, identified those arrested as Gaudencio Agapito, his son Darius, alias Dayo, 29, both of Barangay Lambakin, Jaen; Allan Esquievel, 25, Mildred Esquievel, 29, and Carol Barsaga, 29, all of Barangay Sapang, also in Jaen; Jay-ann Manalastas, 29, of Barangay Pulo, and Gerry Roxas, 35, of Barangay Poblacion, both of San Isidro; and Roel Ocampo, 40; of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.

The simultaneous raids, led by provincial intelligence officer Superintendent Ricardo Villanueva were conducted based on warrants issued by Gapan City Regional Trial Court Branch 34 Judge Celso Baguio. They were accompanied by barangay officials and media men.

Seized from the Agapitos were a .45 caliber revolver and 9mm pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, gun clips and magazines, assorted ammunitions, over P100,000 worth of cash and various drug paraphernalia.

Villanueva said the father and son are big-time drug pushers operating in the third and fourth districts of the province.

He said Gaudencio has a standing arrest warrant for illegal possession of firearms issued by Plaridel, Bulacan Municipal Trial Court Judge Shiela Marie Geronimo-Orquillas and another case in a Malolos City court.

The place where the six other suspects were arrested was reportedly owned by one Camilo Esquievel, a retired police sergeant.

A ninth suspect, Raymund Esquievel, alias Emon, escaped.