ILOILO City – A motorcycle taxi or angkas rider was arrested while his two other companions managed to escape following a buy-bust operation that led to a shootout in Barangay Rizal Lapuz Sur in Lapuz district.
Police identified the arrested as alias “Chad,” 29, a resident of Savannah Subdivision, Barangay Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo. He was apprehended at around at 11:45 p.m. on June 8 and was detained at Iloilo City Police Station 8 (ICPS8).
Meanwhile, a manhunt was underway as of press time for Chad’s two at-large companions, identified as aliases “Mak-Mak” and “Niko.”
According to authorities, Mak-Mak and Niko managed to flee the scene after an exchange of gunfire with police.
Recovered from Chad’s possession were around P1 million worth of suspected shabu weighing 130 grams, a caliber .45 pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, and one empty shell from the same firearm.
The operation was carried out by joint operatives of the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) City Drug Enforcement Unit and Special Weapons and Tactics Team, ICPS8, and the Iloilo Maritime Police Station
The arrested suspect will be charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and attempted homicide for firing at a police officer.
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, ICPO director, assured that the police will continue to intensify anti-illegal drug operations against individuals who threaten the safety and security of the community.
“You will not succeed in evading the law. We will relentlessly pursue criminal elements until they are placed behind bars,” Parilla said. “Let this serve as a warning that the ICPO remains aggressive, committed, and uncompromising in the fight against illegal drugs and armed offenders who continue to destroy the future of our communities.”/PN
