A village chief from Bantayan Island, Cebu is facing criminal charges for allegedly selling illegal drugs and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Senior Insp. Nazareno Emia, deputy chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), filed the complaints against Hilotongan Barangay Chief Rey Christopher Paclibar before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
During his inquest proceedings before Prosecutor Petronio Elesterio, Paclibar chose not to undergo the preliminary investigation, prompting the prosecutor to file the cases in court against the accused for violations of the drug law and possession of unlicensed firearm.
Police arrested Paclibar in a buy-bust last Jan. 28 and seized from him a .45 caliber pistol with an expired license and illegal drugs.
Paclibar, 58, is considered by the police as a high-value target for allegedly being a supplier of illegal drugs in his barangay and neighboring towns, said Supt. Virgilio Bayon-on, the town’s police chief.
Paclibar’s brother, Jose Leo, 64, of Hilotongan; and his cousin, Reynold Villacrusis, 48, of Barangay Yati, Liloan town, were also arrested during the operation.
Jose Leo and Villacrusis charged separately with violation of the drug law. The suspects denied the charges. (GMD)