Traveler caught with gun, pot at boat terminal

CEBU, Philippines - A 23-year-old man bound for Ormoc City was arrested for illegal possession of firearm and marijuana yesterday morning at Pier 3, Cebu City.

A small pack of marijuana and one .357 magnum revolver with four live rounds of ammunition were confiscated from Roniegen Maasin, a resident in Magdugo, Toledo City. He was caught by the police around 10 a.m. just before his 10:45 trip schedule.

The police also seized from the suspect one Weesam Express boat ticket owned by a certain Concepcion Pitogo.

Port police, Senior Insp. Evan Epe, said that the ticket which was under someone else’s name was only given to Maasin by his father who travelled ahead of him to Ormoc.

The police then called the father of the suspect who said that the ticket was owned by his wife. Maasin, however, denied that he know about Pitogo.

Epe said that this could be an issue of security lapse on the part of Weesam Express. He said that the shipping company usually asks for the identification card of the person upon the purchase of ticket but do not require them once they check in.

Epe, who works with the Intelligence and Investigation Section, said that the illegal drug was found inside a small coin purse. It was intercepted by X-ray operator Gico Morales.

The firearm, on the other hand, was seized by security guard Clark Alejandria who discovered the gun tucked in the suspect’s waist.

Maasin admitted in an interview with The FREEMAN that he owns the marijuana and the firearm.

The suspect will face charges for illegal possession of firearm in violation of the Republic Act No. 10591 and transportation of drugs under Republic Act 9165. (FREEMAN)