CEBU, Philippines - Two brothers who are suspected drug pushers were arrested by National Bureau of Investigation agents in a buy-bust operation past 5 p.m. yesterday in Sitio Tapon, Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando town. The agents seized close to P3.5 million worth of suspected shabu and five guns.
Gringo Maalyao, 28, the subject of the buy-bust operation was arrested in a suspected drug den together with his brother Crisologo, 26, for selling drugs. Several men were also held by the police following the operation.
Agent Arnel Pura said that the operation was hatched after the NBI received a complaint from a schoolteacher in San Fernando who found out students would cut classes and go to the drug den to sniff shabu.
The NBI sent operatives to conduct surveillance and test-buy operations, after these yielded positive results the operation was planned.
After selling shabu to a poseur-buyer the brothers were immediately handcuffed. Around 20 men in the vicinity of the drug den were also held by NBI agents but later released after it was determined they were just watching a volleyball game in the area.
At least 300 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P3.5 million based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimates, were seized from the drug den, as well as five guns.
Aside from the suspected shabu the NBI also found a bonnet in the utility box of Gringo’s motorcycle, the agents said they will verify if the suspect is a gun-for-hire.
Gringo is said to be an untouchable in the area as he is allegedly under police protection, but that report was denied by the suspect himself who said he is into drugs because he cannot find a decent job. He also denied selling drugs to students, claiming he would drive them away himself with the admonition that drugs would destroy the future.
Chief Inspector Richard Gadingan, San Fernando Police Station chief, said that NBI-7 coordinated with them regarding the operation but during the operation he left the agents to do their job as the presence of his own men might jeopardize the operations.
Gadingan said they also conducted surveillance on the suspect and he is glad that other law enforcement units helped them in their campaign against illegal drugs.
Regarding reports of police protection, Gadingan said he will investigate.
Barangay Councilor Dante Lariosa, chairman of the Committee on Environment, witnessed the inventory because the barangay captain and the Committee on Peace and Order failed to arrive.
Guns seized in Danao
Meanwhile, two firearms technicians were arrested by police in a series of entrapment operations against loose firearms in Danao City yesterday morning that also led to the confiscation of almost P200,000 worth of guns.
Francisco Capuyan and Junard Castro were arrested after they were caught in possession of several firearms allegedly owned by a security agency.
Provincial Intelligence Branch chief, Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra, said that Castro was arrested after an entrapment operation past 6 a.m. yesterday in a shanty in Barangay Looc, Danao City, where he was seen checking a pistol. Police also seized at least a dozen .45 cal. pistols from the shanty.
Two hours later in Barangay Suba, Danao City, the same operatives went to Capuyan’s shanty and also saw him repairing a .45 cal. that led to his arrest. The police confiscated three .45 cal. pistols, seven .38 cal. revolvers, two 12-gauge shotguns and three files used to repair guns.
Capuyan said although the guns were in his shanty they were just brought there by a gun runner for repairs.
He also said the guns were owned by a security agency he declined to name, but Albotra said that they will submit the serial numbers of the firearms to Camp Crame to check if these are licensed.
He said that he has been repairing firearms illegally after coming home from Bahrain where he worked as firearms technician for three years, he also said he has worked in the firearms industry for 18 years now.
Like Capuyan, Castro also said customers just bring him guns for repairs, but Albotra claimed the two will also sell guns to customers if there are willing buyers. — BRP (FREEMAN)