CAMP GEN. MALVAR, Batangas City -- Police authorities have arrested a suspect charged with frustrated homicide and attempted frustrated murder during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City on Thursday, according to provincial police public information chief, Senior Insp. Kerwin Amor Umali Cabrales.
In his report, Supt. Sancho O. Celedio, city police chief, identified the suspect as Rommel Madrigal Hidalgo alias “Bagaong”, 37, a Sta. Clara village resident.
Celedio said the Batangas City Police Station's Drug Enforcement Unit (BCPS-DEU) seized from the suspect several heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected "shabu" (crystal meth) and PHP500 marked money.
Records from the city police station disclosed that the suspect was previously arrested for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 on Nov. 23, 2016 although the case was dismissed.
After the case dismissal, Hidalgo was said to have engaged in illegal drug activities with his former clients. The police investigation also unmasked Hidalgo’s record where he figured in an alleged frustrated homicide case on May 2, 2015 and attempted murder on Feb. 15, 2016.
A village cluster leader confirmed the suspect’s involvement in illegal drug activities after the latter’s acquittal from his previous drug case.
Celedio said Hidalgo’s arrest proved the communities’ awareness, vigilance and concern to rid their localities of illegal drugs by informing the cops of the suspect’s drug trade.
In another Batangas town, the Taal municipal police also arrested Thursday night Ricky Badillio, 25, of Barangay Tiera Alta who was earlier charged with homicide.
Taal chief of police Senior Insp. Ernesto R. Chavez said the suspect is listed as No. 1 under their Lambat-Sibat Phase 4 operational plan. (Jojo C. Magsombol/PNA)
