Gov’t Worker, Wife Arrested in Gun, Drug Raid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A job order employee and his wife were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and drugs during a police raid in Barangay Magallon Cadre, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

Police served a search warrant against “Yokyok,” 44, a municipal government worker, for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law.

The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court in La Carlota City on Feb. 20, 2025.

Police Major Romulo Gepilango, Moises Padilla police chief, said the suspect had been reported for illegal discharge of a firearm and issuing threats while intoxicated. Authorities recorded 19 complaints against him in the barangay since 2024.

The search led to the recovery of a .357-caliber revolver, a .45-caliber pistol with an inserted magazine, six live rounds, and three .45-caliber magazines containing 15 live rounds.

Police Lt. Arnolfo Robles, Moises Padilla deputy police chief, said the firearms were unlicensed and allegedly used by the suspect for personal protection.

During the raid, authorities noticed the suspicious behavior of the suspect’s wife, leading to the discovery of two sachets of suspected shabu worth PHP20,400, an improvised plastic scooper, and a weighing scale.

Robles said the woman attempted to hide the illegal drugs by placing them in a pail of water.

He added that the suspect’s wife was not previously included in their drug watchlist, suggesting she may have been newly involved in illegal drug activities.

The couple is now in police custody, pending the filing of charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against Yokyok and possession of dangerous drugs against his wife.