Tricycle driver claims cops planted drugs, gun in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

PRES. ROXAS, Capiz — A 20-year-old tricycle driver has accused police officers of planting firearms and sachets of illegal drugs during his arrest Monday afternoon, July 21, in Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz.

Now under police custody, alias “John Loyd” of Barangay Pantalan, President Roxas, told Daily Guardian Wednesday morning at the Hall of Justice that he was seated in a tricycle waiting for a bus to Roxas City when officers arrived and began frisking him.

He claimed that one officer suddenly inserted a firearm and sachets of an unidentified substance into his shorts.

He questioned the officers’ actions, but they continued to frisk him.

He said the police then handcuffed him and declared him under arrest for allegedly possessing an unlicensed .38-caliber firearm and sachets of suspected shabu, despite his protests.

He said his companion, identified as Jovan Escanan, ran off and has not been located.

“Indi ina akun ang armas kag mga sachets sang illegal drug. Wala ako naga entra sinang mga illegal nga bisyo,” he told Daily Guardian, emotionally denying any involvement with illegal drugs.

Police reports stated that the arrest was made by PCpl Errol Delfin Jr. and PCpl Jerol Salarda, who allegedly saw the suspect around 6:31 p.m. carrying a firearm tucked in his waist along the national highway in front of a convenience store.

Police said John Loyd tried to flee but was cornered and subdued.

Authorities reported recovering an unlicensed .38-caliber firearm with two live rounds, two sachets of suspected shabu, one sachet of dried marijuana leaves, a fan knife, a lighter, and a cellphone.

John Loyd denied ownership of all items except the cellphone and the knife, which he said were for personal use.

His father, Jimmy, said his son quit school to help the family by driving a tricycle.

He added that John Loyd regularly brought his younger brother to school and had no previous records with the police or barangay.

Jimmy also said his wife works in Manila as a house helper to support the family’s needs.

John Loyd remains in the custody of the President Roxas PNP, and charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were filed against him Wednesday, July 23, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that John Loyd tested negative for illegal drug use.

Daily Guardian tried to get a statement from Police Major Alfred de Leon, President Roxas police chief, and the officers involved in the arrest, but they were unavailable as of press time.