CAMP GEN. ALEJO S. SANTOS, Bulacan -- Three suspects were arrested and some PHP1.5-million worth of illegal drugs and firearms were seized at a Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint in Barangay Pulong Sampalok, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan province Wednesday night.
Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan Police Provincial Office Director, identified the suspects as Joselito Isidro, 30, and Florida Alipio, 46, both residents of Barangay Poblacion, Baliwag town; and Jerome Jay Niño Silverio, 26, of Barangay San Pedro, Bustos.
Senior Insp. Isabelo Mondejar, chief the Doña Remedios Trinidad police, said some of his men, together with members of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, flagged down a green Mitsubishi Lancer with plate no. FEX 206 during a checkpoint at about 11:30 p.m.
"Upon turning on the vehicle’s cabin light, the checkpoint team saw in plain view the driver without an upper garment," Mondejar said.
He said the team asked for a license but the driver was not able to present any.
Authorities also saw during the plain view inspection one Ingram submachine gun at the driver’s seat.
“The suspects failed to show any pertinent documents that prompted the checkpoint team to arrest them,” Mondejar said.
When searched, he said the police discovered one bag containing a caliber 9mm Norinco pistol and six plastic bags of varying sizes containing suspected shabu, weighing more or less 210 grams, and drug paraphernalia.
Criminal charges of violation of Section 5 (transporting), Section 11 (possession) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), RA 10591 (The Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof) in Relation to the Omnibus Election Code, and RA 4136 (The Land Transportation and Traffic Code) are being readied for filing in court against the arrested suspects. (PNA)