Vizcaya mayor’s son, 2 others held for drugs

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Criminal charges have been filed against a son of a mayor here and two others, who were apprehended last week for alleged illegal drug use and possession of unlicensed firearms.

Reports identified the suspects as Karpov Salunat, 38, businessman-son of Mayor Aurelio Salunat of Quezon town this province, and his two companions, Angelo Perez, 30, and Rogelio Sanchez, 28, who were arrested in adjoining Solano town. 

The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly Sections 6 (maintaining a drug den), 11 (illegal drug possession), 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), and 15 (drug use).

The Solano police also charged the suspects, who were cornered in Salunat’s hut in Barangay Uddiawan last Thursday night, for illegal possession of firearms before the local prosecutor’s office.

The operation, sanctioned by a search warrant issued by Judge Bill Buyucan of the municipal trial court here, was conducted by joint elements of the provincial and town police led by Chief Inspector Kevin Bulayungan.

Seized during the operation were two heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu; seven tooters, used aluminum foils, a digital weighing scale, and other drug paraphernalia.

Also confiscated were a .38-caliber revolver and a magnum .22 revolver, both without serial numbers and with five and three bullets, respectively, and P31,500 in cash.