Drug personality nabbed at checkpoint

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man who was recently released from jail was arrested once more at a police checkpoint for alleged illegal possession of firearm and illegal drugs at Purok Masagana, Barangay Bagumbayan, Valladolid, Negros Occidental last Thursday.

The suspect was identified as June Rey Penalba, 34, of Barangay Pilar, Hinigaran town.

Police Major Wilfredo Benoman Jr., Valladolid town police chief, said that Penalba was riding a motorcycle when he was flagged down after police noticed a firearm allegedly tucked in his waist.

The suspect also looked and acted uneasy, according to Benoman.

Upon checking, police recovered from him a homemade .38-caliber revolver and three sachets of suspected shabu worth P10,200.

Benoman said that when they coordinated with Hinigaran town police, they discovered that Penalba was previously arrested for illegal drugs. He is also an alleged drug personality in the said town, the police chief added.

Benoman claimed that Penalba could be an alleged drug courier. He will be charged for violations of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law, and RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.