By CESAR JOLITO III

A police officer and his companion were arrested in a buy-bust operation targeting loose firearms at Barangay Robles in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana on Wednesday afternoon, September 24.

Patrolman Genesis Daing Gimay, 31 years old, assigned to the Cebu City Police Office Mobile Force Company, and Niño Napoleon Colmenares Ligason, 31 years old, a resident of Barangay Robles, were arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Regional Field Unit Negros Island Region (CIDG RFU-NIR).

Authorities confiscated from the suspects a KG-9 submachine pistol without serial number, a magazine and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a police-issued 9mm GERSAN pistol, additional ammunition, and a black holster.

Also seized were buy-bust money, boodle cash amounting to P22,900, and a silver sports utility vehicle.

CIDG said the operation was covered by a pre-operational clearance and compliant with Supreme Court guidelines, with on-site inventory and alternative recording devices used.

Barangay officials witnessed the inventory.

The suspects were informed of their rights in their local dialect and brought to the La Castellana police station before their turnover to CIDG RFU-NIR for documentation and filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act./CJ, WDJ