Cebu City cop faces charges for drugs, guns possession

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer who was arrested  while doing drug session in Barangay Punta Princesa was indicted yesterday for two criminal cases.

Prosecutor Jill Ann Paculba-Gealon found probable cause to file two cases against PO2 Ronelo Manuel for violating Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Manuel, 31, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City, and is currently detailed at the Cebu City Public Safety Company, refused to undergo preliminary investigation during the inquest proceeding. He said he will just face the charges in court.

Gealon recommended P80,000 bail for Manuel’s temporary liberty for his alleged violation of Section 3(b) in relation to Section 28(g) of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Another bail of P40,000 for his violation of Section 12, Article II of RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Prosecutor’s record said that Manuel was arrested last May 23, 2014 at 9:10 p.m. by the Punta Police along with Kenner Solon Rodriguez, 21, a resident of Tres de Abril St., Barangay Punta Princesa.

Punta Princesa police headed by Senior Inspector Michaelangelo Beltran were patroling in the area when they chanced upon a group of men near an electric post.

Beltran’s teammates SPO3 Jelson Solibio, SPO1 Noel Caretero, SPO1 Inocencio Lumayag, Jr., PO3 Fortunato Macaranas and PO3 Albert Sator approached the men when they Manuel and Rodriguez.

SPO1 Lumayag said that about five meters away, he personally saw one of the men scrutinizing a revolver. Other patrolling police approached the group and introduced themselves as police officers.

The police confiscated an Armscor revolver .38 caliber  and a Springfield revolver .357 caliber, live ammunitions of both .38 and .357 caliber and six pieces rolled tin foil with two disposable lighter. —(FREEMAN)