MANILA — Members of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday arrested five men and seized five guns, ammunitions and illegal drugs in separate operations in Camarines Sur, Abra, and Batangas.
A report to CIDG director Roel Obusan identified the arrested persons as Carlos Pontanal, Edwin Vega, Edmar Molina, Melvin Maderazo, and Norman Manite.
Police nabbed Pontanal and Vega while in possession of a Caliber .38 revolver, a machine pistol, Caliber 9-mm. pistol, seven magazines, 51 assorted ammunitions and a suppressor, at about 6:30 a.m. in Barangay San Roque and Salvacion, Bula, Camarines Sur.
On the other hand, Molina was apprehended for possession of a hand grenade and four rounds of ammunition by the CIDG in Abra headed by Police Supt. Cesar Paday-os in Barangay Abas, Salapadan, Abra.
Meanwhile, a Caliber 9-mm. pistol, magazine, seven rounds of ammunition and a firearm case were confiscated from Maderazo by Batangas CIDG operatives, led by its Regional Chief, Supt. Lawrence Cajipe, at about 8:30 a.m. in Barangay Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas.
Manite was collared by CIDG-Southern Metro Manila operatives at about 2 p.m. at the 31st Floor, North Tower, South of Market, Private Residency, BGC, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City while in possession of a Caliber .45 pistol, three magazines, and 32 rounds of ammunition.
Eleven packs of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 28.5 grams, amounting to PHP200,000; two packs of suspected dried marijuana, weighing 4.9 grams, amounting to PHP500; and assorted drug paraphernalia were also recovered by the authorities during the police operation.
All arrested persons will be charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law.
An additional case for violation of RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) will be filed against Molina while Manite will also be charged with violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
