2 drug suspects, rape accused arrested; man, woman die in separate incidents

By Jordan Kurt Domingo

POLICE arrested two suspected drug dealers and a rape suspect in separate operations in Camarines Sur and Naga City on October 13, while investigating a fatal shooting in Ragay and a vehicular accident that claimed a woman’s life in Goa.

The Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO), in its October 13–14 press release, also reported the discovery of a suspected hand grenade off the coast of Balatan.

In Goa, police arrested a 26-year-old habal-habal driver identified only as alias Arce during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Labog, Barangay Catagbacan, at around 1:35 p.m. on October 13.

Police alleged that Arce sold a sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu to an undercover officer. A subsequent search reportedly yielded six more sachets of suspected shabu and the ₱500 marked money used in the operation.

The seized substances weighed approximately 4.23 grams and had an estimated street value of ₱28,764, police said.

In a separate operation at around 7 p.m. in Zone 6, Barangay Odicon, Pasacao, joint police and anti-drug personnel arrested a 23-year-old unemployed man identified as alias Jom.

The suspect allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer for ₱500. Police reportedly recovered four additional sachets of suspected shabu and the marked money.

The seized substances weighed approximately one gram and had an estimated market value of ₱6,800.

Both operations were conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 5. The suspects were placed under police custody, while the seized substances were to undergo laboratory examination.

Meanwhile, a 29-year-old welder identified as alias Adio was arrested at around 3:15 p.m. in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City.

Police identified him as the No. 2 most wanted person in Minalabac, Camarines Sur. He was apprehended by the tracker team of the Gainza Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Minalabac Municipal Police Station, during a manhunt operation.

Police said the arrest was made by virtue of a warrant for rape by carnal knowledge, with no bail recommended. The accused was brought for medical examination before being taken to the Gainza police station for documentation and processing.

FATAL SHOOTING

In Ragay, police investigated the discovery of a man with gunshot wounds beside the highway in Zone 7, Barangay Liboro, at around 3:50 p.m. on October 11.

Four spent cartridge cases of undetermined caliber were recovered at the scene. The victim's identity and that of the suspect or suspects remained undetermined in the initial police report.

Ragay police secured the area, interviewed witnesses and requested assistance from the Scene of the Crime Operations team for crime scene processing.

WOMAN KILLED IN VEHICULAR ACCIDENT

In Goa, a 48-year-old woman died after reportedly falling from a vehicle that moved backward along San Jose Street at around 5:25 p.m. on October 11.

Initial police investigation indicated that the Toyota Revo, driven by the woman's husband, moved backward after its engine was started, reportedly because of a malfunction in the gear mechanism.

The woman, identified only as alias Hayds, allegedly fell from the vehicle and struck the concrete portion of a residential gate.

Responding personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rushed her to the Goa Municipal Infirmary, where she was declared dead on arrival.

The driver and their two sons, who were also in the vehicle, were reported unharmed. The vehicle sustained damage of undetermined value.

SUSPECTED GRENADE FOUND IN BALATAN

Meanwhile, police in Balatan coordinated with explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel after a fisherman discovered a suspected hand grenade underwater off Zone 5, Barangay Siramag, on October 11.

The 52-year-old fisherman, identified only as alias Cammy, reportedly found the suspected explosive at around 9:50 a.m., approximately seven feet underwater and 20 meters from the shoreline.

He immediately reported the discovery to Philippine Coast Guard personnel, who subsequently notified Balatan police.

Police personnel proceeded to the area, verified the report and cordoned off the site to protect the public while coordinating with the provincial EOD team.

The police report provided no further details on the EOD team's assessment or the status of the investigations into the fatal incidents.