
SK kagawad, 2 others nabbed for over P22.5-M illegal drugs, weapons
THREE men, including a barangay kagawad, in Cagayan were arrested by the local police for illegal possession of drugs, grenade and a gun worth over P22.5 million following separate anti-criminality operations on Wednesday, Police Regional Office 2 director Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr. said.
In a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the Cagayan Valley police director said that two of the suspects identified as alias “Jayson” and alias “Richard” were arrested by policemen manning a gun ban checkpoint in Bgy. Bantug in Roxas, Isabela.
Both 30-years-old, the two were in a black Toyota Fortuner with plate no. NHM 9054 when they were flagged down by members of the Roxas Municipal Police Station around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
However, the driver ignored the lawmen, hit the checkpoint barricade and a police car before speeding off, triggering a pursuit operation.
The chase ended in Bgy. Centro in Mallig, Isabela, where the two yielded after being cornered.
A check of the suspects’ SUV led to the recovery of 222 dried marijuana bricks valued at P22.6 million, 19 pieces of rolled cannabis leaves with fruiting tops worth at least P2.280 million and a hand grenade.
Marallag said that the marijuana couriers apparently panicked upon seeing the gun ban checkpoint and tried to escape.
He said that “Jayson” turned out to be a call center agent while “Richard” is a kitchen staff. Both are residents of Mandaluyong City.
The two are facing non bailable charges for transport of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives and violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
The third suspect identified as alias “Carlito,” a 22-year-old Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad in Bgy. Lanna, Enrile, Cagayan, was arrested during a raid in his house in Zone 1, Sitio Naruang, which led to the confiscation of an unlicensed cal. .45 pistol with a loaded magazine, two plastic sachets containing a gram of suspected shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia
Members of the Enrile MPS and the PRO2 Regional Mobile Force Battalion raided the suspect’s residence on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Jezarene Aquino of the Tuguegarao City Regional Trial Court Branch 5.
The suspect is being held at the Enrile police jail facing charges for illegal possession of illegal drugs and firearm.