ROSALES, Pangasinan – Four men were arrested at a checkpoint here on Tuesday night after authorities recovered firearms, explosives, and suspected shabu from them.
In an interview on Wednesday, Maj. Arturo Melchor Jr., information officer of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), identified the suspects as Gary Mayag-As, of Umingan town Pangasinan; Limuel Cabanilla, Gilbert Kibayan, and Jeston Yatyaten, all of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Melchor said the suspects were stopped at a checkpoint in Barangay Zone V, past the curfew hour in the province.
“During the checkpoint, the police saw a gun tucked in the waist of the driver, which resulted in further search of their car and the suspects,” he said.
The group was onboard an Isuzu Hi Lander, where authorities discovered a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 revolver, ammunition as well as alleged improvised explosive device components, and four sachets of suspected shabu, he added.
Melchor said the Rosales Police Station and the PPPO are investigating whether the group has connection to a foiled robbery reported on that day.
“Prior to the arrest of the suspects, the police received a report on an alleged foiled robbery incident and the getaway car of the suspects is similar to that of the group. We are also probing if they are an organized crime group,” he said.
Charges will be filed against the suspects while the recovered firearms and other evidence will be processed. (PNA)
