RID arrests 2 robbery Suspects

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Intelligence Division arrested two alleged robbery suspects in separate operations in the towns of Liloan and Compostela yesterday morning.

The operation led by Senior Inspector Rogelio Pineda Jr. led to the arrest of Lester Pomar, 32, of Barangay Cogon, Compostela and Jupeth Binabaye, 27, of Barangay Cotcot, Liloan.

Their arrests were by virtue of a search warrant for the violation of RA 8294 or illegal possession of firearms issued by Judge Marilyn Lagora-Yap of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Mandaue City on July 5.

Pomar will also be facing violation of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of RA 9165 after shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from him during a buy-bust operation.

Based on intelligence reports, both suspects were members of criminal gang but Pomar was eventually involved in vending illegal drugs which prompted the operatives to conduct a buy-bust operation before they served the warrant.

During the buy-bust operation, Pomar yielded one sachet of shabu together with the P500 marked money.

During the search, operatives were able to recover one shotgun; one home made shotgun revolver type, M1.30 caliber rifle, housing barrel of M16 rifle, 2 short magazines of M16 rifle, nine bullets of caliber .45 pistol, nine bullets of 9mm pistol, six bullets of .40 caliber; 12 bullets of .38 revolver, one big plastic pack of shabu, used tin foils, lighters, burners, scissors and plastics for repacking.

Pomar was under surveillance for more than a month but the application of the warrant was delayed after he was arrested for RA 8294 in Mandaue City but was released after he posted bail.

After Pomar’s arrest, the operatives arrested Binabaye in his residence for the same violation.

The operatives recovered two pieces of .38 revolver and assorted ammunitions of .38 revolver, .22 revolver and caliber .45 pistol.

Pineda said Binabaye was once involved in a shootout in their barangay.

Both are now detained at the Police Regional Office 7 stockade. (FREEMAN)