Tanod nabbed with shabu, gun, grenade in drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A village watchman was arrested in a police anti-illegal drugs operation morning of August 20 at San Rafael, Iloilo.

Barangay tanod Jonh Paul Baclagon, 23, was arrested at his place in Sitio Daga, Brgy. Bagacay, San Rafael by members of the Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Special Operating Group (PSOG) for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P5,000.

Arresting operatives also seized from Baclagon four more sachets of suspected shabu, a pouch, cash of P800, a handheld radio, a hand grenade, a caliber .22 revolver, a small knapsack and a Rusi 125 motorcycle.

He will be charged for violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) under Sec 5 and 11, RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives).

Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, Western Visayas police chief, lauded the operating units for apprehending Baclagon.

“Patunay lamang po ito na wala pong exemption sa ating pagtugis ng may pananagutan sa batas. Nakakalungkot lang na ang mga katulad nilang tanod na inaasahan pa man din natin na tutulong sa para ipalaganap ang katahimikan ay gumagawa din pala ng kabulastugan gaya ng pagbebenta ng iligal na droga,” he said.

Relatedly, the region’s top cop also called on owners of unlicensed firearms to turn over their guns for safekeeping.

He reiterated that the police would double their efforts to run after loose guns, as the Comelec gun ban nears.