TACLOBAN CITY—In a significant crackdown on criminal activities, four suspects in possession of firearms and illegal drugs were intercepted by Leyte police in a checkpoint in Barangay Cristina, Calubian, Leyte, on May 17.
The concerted efforts of the Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, Calubian Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Leyte Provincial Special Operations Group, Regional Intelligence Division, 121st SAC 12th SAB, and the Highway Patrol Group led to the apprehension of four suspects who were only identified through their aliases-Wally42; Alan,27;Boy 20; Roy, 32, all residents of Villaba, Leyte.
The vehicle was flagged down based on a tip from a confidential informant about a suspicious red Toyota Innova with mismatched plate numbers (front plate: Z8 P345, rear plate: NHS 1449) heading towards Calubian town proper. Upon closer inspection, officers saw in plain view a rifle bag containing various firearms.
Confiscated from the suspects’ possession and the vehicle were three .45 caliber pistols, each with a loaded magazine; one Ingram submachine gun with a loaded 9mm magazine; two long firearms with loaded 5.56mm magazines; and 36 transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, with an estimated Dangerous Drug Board value of P242,000; and cash amounting to approximately P97,174.00 in different denominations.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Calubian Municipal Police Station and were charged for violating RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
PB/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, police regional director, extended his gratitude to the community for their invaluable cooperation with authorities and their swift action in providing crucial information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
“Your vigilance and partnership are instrumental in ensuring the safety and security of the entire Eastern Visayas. Together, we can continue to uphold the rule of law and combat crime effectively,” Pawid said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
