"Acetylene gang" members charged

CEBU, Philippines - The two suspected members of the acetylene gang who were caught in possession of illegal drugs have been charged before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

The criminal case for violation of section 11 of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was filed against Kenneth Coplanga, 47 and Madrid Bantag, 40, both are native of Benguet.

A pack of shabu was seized from each of the suspect during their arrest Sunday night.

The police invited the two for questioning after receiving information about the suspicious activities of the suspects.

The police believe that Coplanga and Bantag were planning to burglarize a pawnshop near the pension house they were staying.

Following the arrest of the suspects, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal reminded all chiefs of police in the province to beef up the security in their respective area of responsibility.

Digal said a pawnshop in Consolacion was victimized by the acetylene gang last year. It was not however known whether suspects were responsible for it. According to Digal, the incident should serve as a warning for pawnshop owners and lending firms to be vigilant and hire security guards and install security device in their establishments.

He also encouraged the residents to report any suspicious person in their locality.

“Aron among mamonitor dayon kinahanglan ilang i-report kung naa silay mamatikdan nga kadudahan,” he said. (THE FREEMAN)