PRO8 intensifies campaign against loose firearms

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
August 29, 2012

CAMP RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  Four persons were arrested as Police Regional Office 8 intensified its campaign against loose firearms in different parts of the region.

“The proliferation of loose firearm poses threat to the peace and order situation in the region that’s why I ordered our men to conduct a sustained drive through Oplan Bakal in different places of convergence, increased police visibility and establishment of checkpoints”, Police Regional Director PCSUPT Elmer Ragadio Soria said.

At around 7:50 o’clock in the morning of August 26, at Purok 1, Brgy. Aguit-itan, Calbayog City, a telephone call received by Calbayog City Police Station from a concerned citizen informed that a male person believed to be drunk was sleeping at the wooden chair at said place with a protruding gun tucked on his waist. Duty patrol personnel of Calbayog City Poilce Station proceeded to the area and arrested one Rolando Neri y dela Cruz alias Sam, 46, married, businessman and resident of above place. The police confiscated from the suspect’s possession and control one (1) .22 caliber revolving marked Smith and Wesson bearing serial number 71417 loaded with 8 live ammunitions.

Relatedly, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning of August 25, one Cathy Pica of Brgy. Dolores, Ormoc City requested for police assistance regarding her cellular phone that was allegedly stolen by one John Mesario, 17 years old, single, and resident of Brgy. Bagon, Ormoc City. Team led by PSINSP Shevert Alvin Machete, Police Station 1 Chief, responded for verification and arrested the suspect and recovered from his possession and control one (1) piece MyPhone color white mobile phone owned by the complainant. The police team were also able to confiscate one (1) caliber .38 revolver with no serial number with three (3) live ammo from the suspect’s possession.

At around 8:30 o’clock in the evening of August 25, at Quezon Boulevard, Tacloban City, fronting dried fish section, one Tessie Malate y Arsulon, 45, married, vegetable vendor and resident of Brgy 66, Paseo de Legaspi, Tacloban City, while vending her goods at the roadside, her live-in partner Samuel Clemente y Dawaton, 37 years old, resident of Brgy. 88, Alimasag, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor barged in and confronted the former in a temper manner. While arguing, suspect pulled out an improvised handgun and poked towards the victim’s face causing a commotion in the area. Responding elements of Tacloban City Police Station, PO2 Jobel Centenaje and PO1 Gilbert Cesora, arrested the suspect and recovered from his possession and control one improvised handgun (sumpak) loaded with one ammunition of caliber 22.

Also, at around 9:00 o’clock in the evening of same date, at Brgy. 6-A, Sto Niño Extension, Tacloban City, suspect Joey Baclean y Odinada, 28, resident of said place was confronted by her live-in partner Rosie Oberes and a heated argument ensued causing the victim to run outside and sought police assistance. Responding elements of Tacloban City Public Safety Company arrested the suspect and recovered one cal. 22 revolver marked Gas.