Five nabbed for loose firearms, drugs

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Five persons were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal drugs in Negros Occidental in the past three days.

In Isabela town, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and other local police officers raided the house of Jovic Posadas at Barangay Mansablay last Saturday.

Police seized from Posadas a caliber .45 machine pistol (Thompson) with magazines and ammunition and three sachets of suspected shabu.

Posadas is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law), and RA 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

In La Carlota City, operatives of CIDG-Bacolod arrested Gerald Acabo, 32, of Barangay 3 here, a casual employee of the Bacolod City government assigned to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO); JenJen Flores, 25, of Barangay Mansilingan here; and Antonio Geva, 30, of Barangay 3 here.

The trio was nabbed in an entrapment operation in front of an elementary school at Barangay Ayungon last Friday.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said that the arrested persons were alleged members of “Tonggo Group” that is tagged in gun-running activities here and in the province.

Authorities recovered during the operation the P100 marked money, P49,000 boodle or fake money, an ARMSCOR .45-caliber pistol, a  COLT .45-caliber pistol with two magazines and six live ammunition, and five live ammunitions for 12-gauge shotgun.

Gocotano said the suspects failed to show pertinent documents authorizing them to possess or sell the said firearms.

All three suspects will be charged for violation of RA 10591.

In Kabankalan City, Regie Carsales, 55, of Barangay Tanawan was also arrested in an entrapment operation at Barangay Hilamonan last Friday.

CIDG-Bacolod operatives seized during the operation the P100 marked money, P19,900 fake money, a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with a live ammunition, and three more live ammunition.

Gocotano said Carsales is also an alleged member of Tonggo Group. He will also be charged for violating RA 10591.