Four arrested for guns, drugs in Alegria

CEBU, Philippines - Three men and a woman were arrested by the police after several drug paraphernalia and two loose firearms with several bullets were recovered from them at a lodging house in Sitio Galong, Barangay Poblacion, Alegria yesterday morning.

The arrest of Francisco Villanueva, 31; Gerondio Lanticse, 33; Irene Responso, 23, all from Barangay Pulpugan, Consolacion, and Rene Boy Tariao, 39, of Barangay Poblacion, Danao City, came after a concerned citizen reported to the police about the suspicious group at around 8:30 in the morning.

As of last night, a certain “Awing” who was reportedly with the group, was still being hunted.

Police suspect that the group could be guns-for-hire and could also be involved in the illegal drugs trade based on the pieces of evidence they recovered.

Aside from the evidence mentioned, also found was a bonnet, a notebook containing list of names with corresponding amounts, bullet proof vests, five cellular phones, a Toyota Vios (YGP-223), Honda Wave  motorcycle (TP7TC02606), two caliber .45 pistols with 25 bullets of the same caliber and four magazines.

Insp. Sandy Roble, Alegria police chief, told The FREEMAN that right after they received a telephone call regarding the suspicious group they then verified the information by going to the lodging house.

Of the five suspects, only Awing eluded arrest.

Engr. Tito Cavalida, chairman of the Alegria Traffic Operation Management Board, said he received reports that the suspects checked in at the lodging house around 11:00 p.m. last Monday.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said he received reports that the group killed someone in Consolacion but they have yet to confirm this.

Comendador directed intelligence operatives to help with the investigation of the Alegria police. He also called the Consolacion police to coordinate.

The four are now detained at the Alegria police stockade pending the filing of charges for illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia. – (FREEMAN)