P1M shabu, fire arms seized in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — More than P1 million worth of suspected shabu and two unlicensed firearms were seized by the police in separate anti-drug operations in Negros Occidental, during the weekend.

The arrest of Joemarie Tapalia Sr., 50, at Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City on Saturday yielded 87.11 grams of shabu, estimated to be worth P1 million, drug paraphernalia and P1,200 cash. Tapalia was classified by the police as a street-level drug personality.

On the same day, an estimated P84,000 worth of shabu and two unlicensed firearms were confiscated in a series of anti-criminality operation in Negros Occidental.

Two more suspected drug personalities and two juveniles were arrested that day during a police buy-bust operation at Barangay 2, Poblacion, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Nabbed were Roy Abasolo, alias Baroy, 34, of Barangay 5, San Carlos City; Bryan Baylosis, 18, of Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental. The two minors are now under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The arrest of Abasolo, who was the target of the buy-bust operation, also led to the apprehension of Baylosis and the two minors. Seized from them were seven grams of shabu, worth P84,000, paraphernalia, P900 cash, the P600 buy-bust money, and two cellular phones.

In another anti-crime operation, 29-year-old Helbert Cuanan, a resident of Toboso town, was also intercepted and arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Igmaya-an of Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental, for illegal possession of firearms.

Cuanan yielded a 1911 Remington .45-caliber pistol with a magazine containing six rounds of ammunition, which have no documents and a permit to carry firearm.

Another suspect, identified as Rhino Duenas, alias Pulis, was also arrested for a similar violation at Barangay Old Sagay in Sagay City, also in Negros Occidental.

Duenas yielded a homemade caliber 9mm pistol with a magazine containing three live ammunition, and a Rusi 150 motorcycle. (FREEMAN)