Anti-drug raid yields gun-making tools, arrests pusher, midwife

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group (PAIDSOTG) has seized packets of illegal drugs and gun-making equipment in an illegal drugs operation in Barangay Tuburan Sur, Danao City Tuesday evening.

PAIDSOTG arrested Ronilo “Tata” Capuno, 46, and his live-in partner, Gloria Saturos, 56, a midwife, at their residence during the buy-bust operation past 10:00 p.m.

The suspects did not resist arrest when accosted by the operatives.

Recovered from them were four medium packets of shabu worth at least P50,000, budol money topped with a P500 genuine bill and drug paraphernalia.

Other items seized were unfinished 9mm pistol and 9mm revolver; aluminum pistol frame; suppressor;  magazines for KG9 pistol, .45 pistol, 9mm pistol and .22 long rifle; assorted pairs of pistol grips; and bullets for .45 pistol, .38 revolver, .380 revolver, .357 revolver, .40 revolver, M16 rifle, M14 rifle, and 9mm pistol.

Also recovered were parts for .45 pistol; empty shells for .38 revolver and .45 pistol; bench drill; portable electric drill; metal pipes; metal saws; wrench; hammer; drill bits and calliper.

The illegal drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City for chemical analysis while the equipment for gun-making as well as the unfinished firearms are now in the custody of the PAIDSOTG.

SPO1 Reynaldo Solante, team leader, told The FREEMAN that both suspects were the subjects of their operation for engaging in illegal drug trade.

Capuno is on the target list of the PAIDSOTG while Saturos is on the watchlist of the Danao City Police Station.

Solante said that Capuno personally transacted with their poseur-buyer at an adjacent shop with Saturos as cashier.

Capuno even took the poseur-buyer inside their room where the unfinished firearms and equipment in gun-making were recovered.

“Didto na sulod sa kwarto sa ilang balay namo nakuha,” Solante said.

PAIDSOTG is yet to check any pending cases against the suspects involving illegal drugs and loose firearms.

“Kining babaye ang pamilya ani involved na gyud og drugs. Duna na’y nangadakpan pero kaning laki wa pa mi nakasweto,” Solante said.

Charges for illegal possession of drugs and the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act will be filed against Capuno and Saturos.— (FREEMAN)