‘Retired soldier’ falls in gun raid

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

A MAN who claimed to be a retired member of the Philippine Army was arrested following a firearm raid in Hamtic, Antique.

Members of the Hamtic Police Station swooped down on the residence of 53-year-old Hilarion Combong at Barangay Buhang noon of July 5, 2019.

The operation led to the recovery of a caliber .357 Magnum revolver; a caliber .22 Magnum revolver; a homemade 12-gauge shotgun pistol-type; three rifle grenades; a hand grenade; 12 live ammunition for M79 rifle; two long and two short magazines for M16 rifle; and ammunition for caliber .50.

While he claimed to be a retired soldier, the suspect allegedly failed to show proof that he was once a member of the Philippine Army.

Police Major Adolfo Pagharion Jr., Hamtic police chief, said they conducted the search operation following numerous reports that the suspect was seen brandishing firearms.

On top of that, there were also informal complaints of the suspect’s alleged indiscriminate firing activities.

Combong is now detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and R.A. 9516 for illegal possession of explosives.

 

Ex-convict nabbed in drug sting

By: Jomarie A. Billones 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz– An ex-convict was jailed anew after he was collared in a drug buy-bust operation conducted by the police in Barangay Tanza Sur, Panay, Capiz.

Vincent Cerujano of Poblacion Ilaya, Pontevedra, Capiz did not resist when the police of Panay town arrested him after handing over a sachet of suspected shabu.

According to Police Captain Marvin Rufino Balmes, chief of Panay Municipal Police Station, it took three weeks of monitoring Cerujano before the operation was conducted.

Recovered from the suspect were five sachets of suspected shabu, a motorcycle, P40 personal money and P500 marked money.

Balmes said the suspect was arrested in 2015 for the same offense. He was released after serving his sentence.

The suspect will be charged anew for violations of RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

 

Ex-BPAT shot dead

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A former member of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) at Montilla village in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental was gunned down by four unidentified men at the said village Saturday, July 6.

Killed was Ronie Ortuoste, 45, of the said village.

Armed with short firearms, the assailants allegedly shot the victim, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, police records showed.

Police alleged that he was previously involved in a killing incident but was not charged because of a settlement.

Investigation is ongoing.