• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A barangay chairman and a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad were arrested in separate operations in Negros Occidental that led to the recovery of illegal firearm, explosive, and suspected shabu, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said.
Alias “Gar,” 54, was arrested on July 17 after police implemented a search warrant at his residence in Hacienda Nasipunan, Barangay 12, Victorias City.
The barangay chairman’s arrest led to the seizure of caliber .22 revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition, an additional 63 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade.
The operation was conducted by the Victorias City Police Station in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.
The PRO-NIR said the joint police operation stemmed from information provided by a concerned citizen.
After surveillance and verification confirmed that the suspect was not a licensed firearm holder, police secured a search warrant from the court.
Meanwhile, an SK kagawad and two alleged drug personalities are now locked up in jail, following their apprehension in a buy-bust operation at Purok Luyan, Barangay Tinampa-an, Cadiz City on July 16.
The arrested suspects were identified as “Bingbong,” 26, an SK member classified by police as a high-value individual; “Jac,” 27; and “Ro,” 28, both listed as street-level individuals.
Investigation showed the suspects allegedly used a drop-off scheme in selling illegal drugs, wherein the contraband was left at a designated location, photographed, and the image sent to buyers while payments were made through an online platform.
The police recovered about 4.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at P30,600 and a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition. | GPB
