Farmer caught in gun trade tests positive for drugs

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz—A 28-year-old farmer is facing multiple charges after testing positive for illegal drug use in addition to being involved in illegal gun trade and drug pushing.

Police Major Alfred De Leon, Pilar PNP chief, said charges for violations of RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act, and RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against Jeffrey Magno Villasoto of Poblacion Sur, Balasan, Iloilo.

Villasoto was arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay San Nicolas, Pilar, Capiz, on Saturday afternoon, August 24.

Recovered from Villasoto were a homemade .22-caliber revolver without a serial number and ammunition.

The arrest was made following a tip from a confidential informant who reported that Villasoto wanted to pawn his gun due to financial need.

De Leon added that two sachets of suspected shabu, weighing 10 grams with a standard drug price of P68,000, were also recovered from the suspect.

Villasoto was allegedly selling illegal drugs in northern Iloilo towns, sourcing his supply from Capiz province.

The suspect underwent a urine test and was confirmed positive for drug use.

The police chief expressed gratitude for the community’s support and cooperation in the successful arrest.

In a separate incident, a 56-year-old man is facing an illegal gun charge after being arrested in a buy-bust operation on Saturday afternoon, August 24, at Sitio Villa Carmel, Barangay Baybay, Roxas City.

The Roxas City PNP identified the suspect as Noel Placido Buenafe. Buenafe was apprehended after handing over a homemade 12-gauge shotgun to a police poseur-buyer.

Authorities also recovered P100 in marked money and P3,500 in boodle money from the suspect.

The operation was conducted by the Roxas City PNP following a week of monitoring. Buenafe is currently under the custody of the Roxas City PNP, and charges for violation of RA 10591 will be filed against him on Tuesday, August 27, before the City Prosecutor’s Office.