By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two motorcycle riders were arrested following a police chase morning of Dec 12, 2021 in San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Police identified the suspects as Niño Seterra, 30, of Barangay Siwaragan, San Joaquin and Rogelio Masculino Jr., 40, of Barangay Millan, Sibunag, Guimaras.
Both are construction workers of a road widening project in the area.
Lieutenant Dionisio Estacio, San Joaquin police chief, said their team was conducting mobile patrol operations when they spotted the two riders without any crash helmet.
Their motorcycle also lacked license plates.
When they were told to pull over, Seterra allegedly sped off.
Police chased after them until Purok 4, a kilometer away from Barangay Purok 5 where they were spotted.
When frisked, police recovered from Seterra’s possession a caliber .38 revolver loaded with five ammunition.
Both suspects also yielded handheld radios.
The suspects claimed they were afraid that’s why they fled.
Seterra alleged that he was carrying a gun as protection against the New People’s Army since he lives in a hinterland village.
But police learned that Seterra is a respondent in a murder charge and was released on bail.
However, the court has lately ruled that the case was not bailable.
“We will clarify tomorrow (Monday) what’s the disposition of his case,” Estacio said.
Both suspects are now detained pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.
