Man charged for firearms, drug possession

CEBU, Philippines - A 35-year-old man is facing charges before the court after he was allegedly caught in possession of illegal drugs and firearms.

Prosecutor II Leah Cruz held Michael Cua-derno alias Michael Ge-raldo/MG, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City for trial for violating Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, Comelec Resolution No. 10015 in relation to 261(q) of Batas Pambansa 881, and Section 11, Article II of RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an inquest proceeding, Cuaderno chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him. Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

For Cuaderno’s temporary liberty, Cruz recommended P120,000 for RA 10591 and P12,000 for violation of the Comelec gun ban. However, Cruz recommended no bail for RA 9165.

On January 14 at 1:30 a.m., the operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Ope-rations Task Group-7 implemented the search warrant against Cuaderno after a surveillance operation showed that the accused is allegedly engaged in illegal drug trade.

In the course of the implementation, Police Senior Inspector Henrix Bancoleta and other policemen recovered six medium heat-sealed transparent plastics, 216 small heat-sealed transparent plastics (total net weight of 40.01 gram), one M16 armalite rifle, one caliber .38 revolver loaded with four ammunitions and two pouches colored purple and black.

Bancoleta said the firearms were seen in plain view and that Cuaderno failed to present any permit to possess the firearms.  — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)