CITY OF CAUAYAN — A ranking police official in Cagayan Valley hailed Monday the recent arrest of a drug and gunrunning syndicate leader operating in the region.
Nabbed on late Friday afternoon was Wellington Aguda, 39, of Tamalunog, Flora, Apayao. He was tagged as the leader of the Ariel criminal group that sells guns online. Seized from him during his arrest were several firearms and ammunition.
“Aguda’s arrest would inspire us more to dismantle illegal drugs and gunrunning in the region,” Police Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, told the Philippine News Agency in an ambush interview.
Aguda, an Apayao native, was collared after selling shabu or crystal meth to an asset in front of a shopping mall in this city.
He yielded a Baby Armalite rifle, a 9mm pistol, two short M-16 magazines, a long M-16 magazine, 55 bullets for M-16 rifle, a magazine for 9mm gun and 15 pieces 9mm bullets.
Police also seized from him a black bag, a cellphone, two PHP1,000 bills and several marked PHP1,000 bills.
The suspect has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and illegal drug sale.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela provincial police director, said the killing of two suspected drug dealers in a series of buy-bust operations on Saturday in this city and in nearby Cabatuan town.
Killed were Manny Mapalo, 48, from Mallig town, and Robert Cabuyadao, 33, from Quezon town, both in Isabela.
“These buy-bust operations showed that the police have been doing a relentless campaign against illegal drugs in line with President Duterte’s order,” Rodriguez said.
Mapalo, after selling a sachet of shabu to a police poseur buyer, allegedly fired at the undercover lawman upon sensing the operation conducted at around 11:15 p.m. in Sitio Padilla, Tagaran village here in Cauayan.
The policeman, who was hit on his bulletproof vest, allegedly retaliated and shot Mapalo, leading to his death.
Seized from the suspect was a caliber .38 revolver with two bullets and two empty shells, motorcycle, PHP1,000 buy-bust money, wallet, PHP250 cash, mobile phone, and caliber .9mm empty bullet.
In Cabatuan, Cabuyadao was shot and killed after he allegedly fired at the police who posed as drug buyer. He yielded a sachet of suspected shabu and a caliber .38 revolver. ( Bill Visaya/PNA)
