ORMOC CITY-A former barangay chairman was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police on Wednesday, July 24, at around 4 pm in Barangay Villahermosa, Calubian, Leyte.
The suspect, identified by Calubian Chief of Police Major Alexander Alfonzo as Reno Cabalhin, 46, single, and jobless, and a resident of Brgy. Cabalquinto.
Cabalhin had previously been arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
During the operation, an operative purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from Cabalhin for P500. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, led to the recovery of another sachet of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P500.
Further inspection revealed a caliber .45 pistol with a magazine loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition, placed inside a sling bag marked “Nike,” along with drug paraphernalia.
Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, and RA 10591, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives, have been filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Cabalhin is currently detained at the Calubian Municipal Police Station’s lock-up cell.
(ROBERT DEJON)
