By CESAR JOLITO III

A 39-year-old man with illegal firearms, ammunition and suspected illegal drugs was arrested during a search warrant operation in Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City on Thursday, April 23.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Bongbong,” was arrested during the raid in Hacienda Tagud, Barangay Luna, conducted by operatives of the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), with Cadiz police.

Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, said the operation was carried out by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Police said the operation stemmed from reports by concerned residents alleging that the suspect had been threatening neighbors, claiming he would shoot them — causing fear and alarm in the community.

Following the reports, authorities conducted surveillance and verification, which confirmed that the suspect was not a licensed firearm holder.

Recovered during the operation were an improvised shotgun locally known as a “sulpak,” six rounds of 12-gauge ammunition, a .38 caliber revolver loaded with two rounds, and three heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated value of P20,400.

The suspect is currently detained at the police station custodial facility while charges are being prepared.

PRO-NIR officials said the operation highlights the importance of community cooperation in reporting threats and reaffirmed their commitment to curbing illegal firearms and drug-related activities in the region./CJ, WDJ