FOUR suspects were nabbed for possession of loose firearms and illegal drugs last Saturday in two separate search and seizure operations conducted by the Victorias City PNP.
Negros Occidental PNP spokesperson Police Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr. said that, after the Intelligence Branch of Noppo had received reports of loose firearms, its personnel led by Supt. Rosauro Francisco Jr. conducted with the Victorias PNP a joint search and seizure operation in the residence of Gabby and Benjamin Salvador in Victorias City.
Gabby was not present during the raid which was witnessed by Kagawad Henry Laguna and local watchman Angelo Manzano.
Victorias City PNP chief Supt. Jomil John Trio said that the local police recovered one Squires Bingham shotgun with serial number 879057 with eight rounds of live ammunition, one caliber .38 revolver with one live bullet as well as two rounds of live ammunition for caliber 9mm firearm.
Further, in a separate operation, the PNP raiding team also recovered five seedlings and one pot of fully grown marijuana plant from two suspects identified as Mark Baduria, 22, and Jerry Cuaro, 27, alleged cultivators of the seized marijuana plants in Victorias City.
Noppo Director Manuel Felix lauded Francisco and Trio as well as their personnel for their accomplishment in the campaign against loose firearms and illegal drugs in Victorias City.
On the other hand, a 9mm pistol with serial number B91600 and six rounds of live ammunition were seized by the Sagay PNP Friday night. Police Senior Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, officer-in-charge of the Sagay City Police Station, identified the arrested suspect as Cyrel Mendez, 26, a resident of Barangay Lopez Jaena, Sagay City.
The suspect was nabbed inside the Anahaw KTV bar along Quezon Street in Barangay Poblacion 1. He failed to present any legal documentation for his firearm during his apprehension.
In Cadiz City, a policeman assigned at the Negros Occidental Public Safety Company voluntarily surrendered to the Cadiz City PNP Saturday morning after Erick Justin, 31, of Bacolod City complained that the policeman poked a gun at him during a wake in Barangay Daga, Cadiz City.
Felix ordered Noppo investigation head Police Senior Inspector Robert Dejucos to investigate the case of Leonoras, even as Santotome disclosed that PO1 Dionisio Mondejar of the Pulupandan PNP is also subject of an investigation after he was marked AWOL by his superior, Police Senior Inspector Joshua Villasis.
Felix warned erring policemen to shape up or face administrative charges in line with Noppo’s thrust to transform the Negros Occidental police into a more capable, professional, motivated and respected organization.