ILOILO City — A 43-year-old security guard was apprehended on Wednesday evening, February 25, during a police operation targeting illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms in Barangay Calumpang, Molo district.
Acting on a buy-bust operation and a search warrant for a firearm, officers of the Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS 4) arrested alias “Jom”, a resident of Barangay Boulevard, Molo, at around 8:30 p.m.
According to Major Shella Mae Sangrines, spokesperson for the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), the police first conducted a buy-bust where an undercover officer bought approximately one gram of suspected shabu valued at P6,800 from the suspect.
A search warrant was subsequently served, yielding a 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition and five rounds of ammunition for caliber .45 pistol.
Intelligence reports suggested that the suspect allegedly used the illegal drug trade as a secondary source of income alongside his employment as a security guard.
The suspect is currently in police custody. He is facing charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, ICPO officer-in-charge, reaffirmed the city police’s dedication to eradicating criminality.
“The successful conduct of this operation demonstrates our strong commitment to keeping our communities safe,” Parilla stated. “We will continue to pursue individuals engaged in illegal activities and ensure that they are held accountable under the law”./PN
