Four arrested for illegal possession of firearms

CEBU, Philippines – A tricycle driver was arrested after police seized at least five high-powered firearms from his possession during a checkpoint along Urot Street at the boundary of Cebu City and Mandaue City last Monday night.

Arrested was Joel Almadin Laurente, 31, of Barangay Upland, Danao City.

Supt. Pablo Labra II, chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said they set up the checkpoint after receiving information that the suspect would be transporting the firearms.

They spotted the suspect based on the description given by the informant but not after flagging down several jeepneys. Laurente was on board a jeepney from Cebu City bound for Danao City. He reportedly planned to go down at Pier 3 for a vessel bound for Ormoc City where the guns would be delivered.

A Smith and Wesson .357 power fake revolver with six live ammunitions was recovered from his possession.

Police also recovered a bushmaster .9mm fake machine pistol with serial number, a silencer and two magazine clips for the said gun; a KG .9mm fake machine pistol, also with serial number, and a silencer and magazine clips for the said gun; 10 live bullets of a .9mm; and another two Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolvers.

Laurente failed to present documents to prove he has licensed to possess the guns.

Labra said the suspect claimed that he would meet a certain Tata at Pier 3 who would supposedly be the one to take the guns to Ormoc City.

The suspect also said last Monday was supposedly his second time to deliver the guns to Ormoc.

Meanwhile, in Minglanilla, elements of the town police led by PC/Insp. Resty Santos arrested three men after they were found in possession of firearms without license to do so yesterday morning.

Placed under arrest were Alfie Vallasca Peteros, 29, Vergon Geonzon Ricablanca a.k.a. "Talo," 29, and Richard Caballero Gasataya a.k.a. "Baki," 23, all residents of Barangay Poblacion Ward II.

They were arrested at a checkpoint along the national road in Barangay Tungkil. The three were on board a XRM motorcycle with plate number 8609-GQ, which was driven by Gasataya. The three even reportedly attempted to escape, but was stopped by the police.

Police recovered one caliber.45 homemade pistol with silencer, magazine, and three live ammunition from Peteros; another .45 caliber with magazine and three live ammunition from Ricablanca; and five live ammunition from Gasataya.

They were now temporarily detained at the police station and are facing charges for illegal possession of firearms. - Niña G. Sumacot, Mellanie C. Rosales, and Vina D. Damayo, PIT Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)