4 duped with gold bars land in jail
CEBU, Philippines — At least four individuals were arrested for illegal possession of firearms in Sitio Buyo, Barangay Binongkalan Catmon after having been fooled by an individual to ferry a passenger from Palompon, Leyte in exchange of gold bars last Sunday.
Police identified the suspects as certain Francisco Sumalinog,42; Romeo Lestino,44; Dante Gonzaga,42, and Benjamin Brillantes, 25, all were residents of Palompon, Leyte.
Police Staff Sargent Benjamin Arizo, desk officer of Catmon Police Station, said the case stemmed from a complaint of an individual saying that his father-in-law was held captive by the suspects after failing to give them the gold bars.
“Giilad ni sila (suspects), naa silay gihatud na pasahero gikan sa Palompon, Leyte padung diri sa Cebu, kay gipasaligan sila sa anak (complainant) nga inig abot diri sa Cebu tagaan sila og gold bars,” said Arizo.
However, upon the arrival of the suspects with the complainant’s father-in-law, the complainant then immediately reported them to police.
“Maru man ang anak deretso man sa police nagpatabang man dayon siya…gi-hold man ning upat ka tawo kining tiguwang nga gihatud kay wala pa man naabot ang anak nga gadala sa gold bars,” said Arizo.
When the police arrived in the area and inspected the motorbanca, they have found out the loose firearms possessed by the suspects and conducted the arrest.
Recovered from their possession were one improvised shotgun, one black widow and one .45 caliber pistol, all loaded with bullets.
“Nailad pud sila (suspects). Ang ila pung estorya kay kanang armas depensa nila sa lawod kay mananagat man ning mga tawhana, kay sa lawod naa pud baya ng mga tulis-tulis, nagdala silag firearms,” said Arizo.
The suspects travelled from Palompon, Leyte going to Cebu for almost 12 hours just to ferry the father-in-law of the complainant.
Arizo, however, said that they didn’t find any criminal records that linked the names of these individuals basing upon their coordination in Leyte.
Suspects are now detained in Catmon Police Station. — GMR (FREEMAN)
- Latest
