Dismissed cop's gun seized from "drug pusher"

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Police Office and the police in Argao town are looking for a dismissed policeman whose firearm was seized from a high-level drug pusher who was arrested at a checkpoint Sunday evening at the Reclamation Area in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

MCPO director Noel Gillamac yesterday said Rico Becerro, who, before his dismissal, was once assigned to the MCPO.

Becerro's .380 cal. Llama pistol was seized from alleged drug pusher Gate Canete, who was arrested at a checkpoint Sunday for his failure to show a permit for the gun he was carrying.

Gillamac said a case will be filed against Becerro.

He said if Becerro may claim to have lost his gun, he should have reported the loss to the police.

Gillamac said there are no records in existence that would show that Becerro had lost his gun.

Canete, 45, single of barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City is included in the watchlist of drug personalities of the Cebu City Police Office and the Police Regional Office.

He was on board his Crypton motorcycle with plate number YE-8082 when arrested.

Seized from him were the gun, seven bullets, and one ampule of nubain.

Based on the information gathered by the police, Canete moved to Lapu-Lapu City from barangay Ermita, Cebu City after landing in the watchlist. 

Gillamac said his men now want to know why Becerro's gun ended up in the hands of a well-known drug pusher.— (FREEMAN)