CEBU, Philippines - Three big plastic packs of suspected shabu and a firearm were confiscated from a level three drug pusher in an operation Sunday evening in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Police arrested 32-year-old Eric Anthony La Peña in coordination with a concerned citizen.
Peña, a resident of Sitio Motra, Barangay Tisa, was apprehended by the police after the informant reported an armed person alarm in the area.
Inspector Arthur dela Rosa, chief of Punta Princesa Police Station, said they received a call from a citizen reporting two men onboard a motorcycle whom they suspected possessing firearm.
He said when his personnel arrived in the area, La Peña’s cohort managed to run and escaped while the former, who was driving the motorcycle, attempted to resist during the arrest.
One of the responding policemen wrestled with La Peña and grabbed his firearm, police said.
A .45 cal. pistol, bullet loaded at the chamber and one magazine containing four live ammunition of .45 pistol inserted in the firearm were recovered from the suspect.
The police found out that La Peña did not have any permit to carry the said firearm.
Dela Rosa said that La Peña had already been previously detained for a theft case.
When the police frisked La Peña, they were reportedly able to confiscate three big transparent plastic packs of suspected shabu.
Dela Rosa said the estimated street value of the illegal drugs confiscated from La Peña amounted to P50,000.
He added that they received reports that the suspect is involved in illegal drug trade in the area.
“Baka may transaction sila doon kasi that time, parang naghihintay sila,” he said.
While La Peña admitted to the police that he knew his cohort, he had not divulged yet the name of the other suspect.
La Peña refused to comment when interviewed by the local media. He is temporarily detained at the Punta Princesa Police Station and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 and Republic Act 9165.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Noli Romana pointed out the significance of the active participation of the community in maintaining peace and order.
“Nakita natin na ang essence ng crime prevention is everybody’s concern. We can further reduce crime volume through an effective deployment of our personnel based on our crime mapping and the community’s participation. Basta iparating kaagad sa kapulisan, maaaksyonan kaagad,” he said. (FREEMAN)