Three face raps for drugs, firearms

CEBU, Philippines- Three men landed in jail Sunday in Cebu City for possession of drugs and unlicensed firearms.

At around 8:30 a.m., police arrested Ronilo Bontilao, 40, an alleged Level 3 drug pusher, during a buy- bust operation in Barangay San Jose. Bontilao was arrested when he handed over a small pack of suspected shabu in exchange for P200.

Police Officer 1 Gringo Muldez of the Talamban Police Station said they hatched the operation after they received a call about Bontilao’s illegal activities.

Muldez said they placed Bontilao under surveillance for a week only before conducting the bust.

During the operation, the police also seized three other medium and six small packs of suspected shabu valued at almost P10,000 from Bontilao.

Afternoon on the same day, at around 3 p.m., two men were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Bulacao for possession of firearms, suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia. 

Bryan Caballero, 22, of Sitio Antipolo, Barangay Lawa-an, Talisay City and Joseph Esmajer, 31, of Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Linao, Talisay City were onboard a motorcycle when they were flagged down by policemen of the Pardo Police Station conducting a checkpoint.

The police confiscated one Armscor cal. 9mm pistol with two magazines loaded with 10 live rounds and two pieces of small packs of suspected shabu from Caballero. Meanwhile, one short magazine of cal. 9mm pistol loaded with nine live rounds and several drug paraphernalia were seized from Esmajer.  (FREEMAN)