Trike driver alleging cops planted drugs moved to Capiz jail

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 20-year-old tricycle driver who accused police officers of planting firearms and sachets of illegal drugs during his July 21 arrest in Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz, has been transferred to the Capiz Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Barangay Lawaan.

Alias “John Loyd” of Barangay Pantalan, President Roxas, was remitted to the provincial jail Thursday morning, Sept. 11.

He became emotional while boarding a police patrol bound for Roxas City, insisting he should not be jailed for something he did not do.

John Loyd reiterated that the illegal items seized from him were not his and were planted by police operatives.

He said he was seated in a tricycle waiting for a bus to Roxas City on July 21 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 said 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 added that his companion, identified as Jovan Escanan, fled and has not been located.

“Indi ina akun ang armas kag mga sachets sang illegal drugs. 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 carried out by PCpl. Errol Delfin Jr. and PCpl. Jerol Salarda, who allegedly saw the suspect around 6:31 p.m. carrying a firearm tucked into 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 the 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 said John Loyd regularly brought his younger brother to school and had no prior records with the police or barangay.

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

John Loyd was charged on July 23, 2025, 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, which are now before the Capiz Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

The prosecutor set no bail for the illegal drug case, while bail was pegged at PHP 200,000 for the marijuana possession charge and PHP 80,000 for the illegal possession of firearm charge.

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

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