By CESAR JOLITO III

Operatives of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) confiscated illegal firearms, suspected illegal drugs and an explosive device in two separate search warrant operations conducted in the city.

The operations were carried out under search warrants issued by Therese Blanche Bolunia, executive judge of the Regional Trial Court.

In the first operation, personnel of Police Station 2, led by Station Commander Eugene Tolentino, served a warrant against a suspect identified as “Alyas Lomar” for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

Although the warrant primarily targeted firearms, authorities also recovered suspected shabu and an improvised explosive device during the search.

Police said intelligence reports had linked the suspect to several shooting incidents in the city, but investigators are still conducting validation and backtracking to verify the alleged involvement.

Two days later, another search warrant operation was implemented by Police Station 7, under the leadership of Jay-R Reyes, in Barangay Vista Alegre.

During the operation, authorities seized a .45 pistol, a Black Widow .22 Magnum revolver, several live rounds of ammunition, around 30 grams of suspected shabu, and P7,500 in cash believed to be connected to illegal drug activities.

The suspect had reportedly been under surveillance prior to the raid following complaints of threats and alleged involvement in a shooting incident.

BCPO Director Eugene Rebadomia commended the operating units for the successful implementation of the warrants.

Rebadomia emphasized that intensified police operations against individuals suspected of involvement in shooting incidents remain a priority, adding that authorities will continue aggressive law enforcement efforts to curb gun-related crimes and ensure public safety in the city./CJ, WDJ