Two men who run away from checkpoint arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Two men, who reportedly hurriedly disembarked from a passenger jeepney several meters away from a checkpoint, were arrested by police along Echavez Street in barangay Lorega, Cebu City shortly before midnight yesterday.

A gun and a knife were recovered from the two after the chase.

Police identified the suspects as Dennis Tibon, 22, a resident of Pagsabungan, Mandaue City and Ernesto Arresga, 30, of Martirez St., Cebu City.

Elements of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office led by Insp. Aileen Recla were conducting a checkpoint when PO2 Marlon Perolina noticed the suspects hurriedly disembarking from a jeepney several meters before reaching the checkpoint.

Perolina, who then saw the suspects, casually walked towards the opposite direction of the checkpoint, chased the suspects together with PO2 Dennis Mosqueda and members of the Police Auxiliary Group (formerly BIN or the Barangay Intelligence Network).

The police accosted and frisked the suspects. Recovered from Tibon was a .38 caliber snub nose revolver with five live bullets in its chamber while a double-blade knife measuring 16 inches long was seized from Arresga.

Police believe that the two are responsible for several holdup incidents in the area.

The suspects are now detained, as appropriate charges are being readied against them. — Nina G. Sumacot/MEEV   The Nacionalista Party expressed concern over the preparations being undertaken by the Commission on Elections for the coming May 2010 elections.