Motorcycle rider died in road mishap in Pasig
A motorcycle rider died when he slammed on the concrete barrier of a bridge in Pasig City Wednesday, police said.
The fatality was identified as Francis Mabutot, 61, of Barangay Maybunga, Pasig.
Initial investigation showed that Mabutot was aboard his motorcycle traversing R. Jabson Street in Barangay Bambang at around 8:40 a.m.
He was driving his Bajaj motorcycle on the street’s northbound lane heading towards the direction of Plaza Rizal.
Upon reaching Bambang Bridge, the victim overshot the curve of the bridge and hit the bridge’s concrete barrier, police said.
Due to the force of impact, the rider was flung from his vehicle and landed on the pavement below the bridge.
Police said the victim sustained severe head injuries that resulted to his instantaneous death. (Jhon Casinas)
Cop suspected of selling drugs nabbed in Muntinlupa sting
An active police officer who was allegedly selling illegal drugs and using his house as a drug den was arrested by authorities in a buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday afternoon.
Police identified him as Staff Sergeant Raphael Justo, currently assigned at National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) personnel and records management division-personnel holding and accounting unit (ORPRMD- RPHAS).
Investigation showed that members of Philippine National Police (PNP) Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) conducted the sting at Justo's house at New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Barangay Poblacion around 2:15 p.m.
The operation stemmed from an intelligence developed by the regional police based on various reports about the rampant involvement of the suspect in illegal drugs activities, the Philippine National Police said.
Justo had also allegedly involved in "hulidap" cases, police added. Hulidap is an activity which an authority would extort money from someone he arrested in exchange of the latter's release.
Prior to the operation, police furthered that Justo was also recorded twice in a video reportedly sniffing suspected shabu, leading authorities to put him under surveillance and eventually conduct the operation.
After selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth P2,000 to a police poseur-buyer, Justo was immediately arrested.
Seized from him inside his house were illegal drugs and other drug paraphernalia.
"Napatunayan natin na itong si SSg. Justo ay hindi lang gumagamit ng illegal na droga, kung di sangkot din sa pagbebenta ng illegal na drugs," Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said in an ABS-CBN News interview.
Records from police showed that Justo went absent without official leave (AWOL) in 2017 and had also been suspended sometime in 2018 and 2019 for neglecting his duty due to alleged drugs use.
The PNP is currently monitoring some 22 "ninja cops" who were suspected to be involved in the rampant recycling of seized illegal drugs.
The NCRPO public information office said that they have yet to verify the list of the said ninja cops. (Joseph Pedrajas)
Woman arrested for attempted bribery
A woman was arrested by the police after trying to bribe authorities with P15,000 cash to release his husband nabbed for illegal possession of firearms in Quezon City, Wednesday night.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) acting director Colonel Ronnie Montejo identified the suspects as Jennifer Villafranca and his husband Romy Villafranca, both 36, and residents of Barangay Baesa.
Prior to Jennifer's arrest, report showed that personnel of Quezon City Police District's (QCPD) Novaliches Police Station (PS-4) were conducting anti-criminality operations at Forest Hill Drive in Barangay Gulod around 10:30 p.m. when they spotted Romy with a firearm tucked in his waistline.
Police said Romy, who was a member of Batang City Jail gang, was apparently waiting for a victim when they saw him.
When operatives were about to accost Romy, the suspect immediately ran and boarded a taxi bearing plate number ABG 6091 driven by Jayson Agarin, 30.
A brief chase ensued while authorities were able to corner the cab on the corner of Forest Hills Drive and Midway. It appears that Romy conspired with Agarin for a robbery hold-up in the area, police said.
Seized from Romy was a caliber .38 handgun while a caliber .22 revolver was recovered inside Agarin's taxi cab resulting in their arrest.
While at the police station, Romy's wife appeared and offered P15,000 cash to PS-4 personnel in exchange for the release of her husband which also led to her arrest for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code or Corruption of Public Officials.
The three suspects are now under the custody of PS-4 while Romy and Agarin will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulation Act. (Alexandria San Juan)
P40k worth of 'shabu' seized in Caloocan buy-bust
About P40,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized from two men in a buy-bust operation that also yielded an illegal firearm in Caloocan City Wednesday morning.
Police arrested Wimpy Baldilao, 40 and Lido Padillo, 45, both residents of the city.
Members of Northern Police District Special Operations Unit (NPD-DSOU) conducted a buy-bust operation against the two for allegedly selling unlicensed firearms along P. Gomez St. in Barangay 154 around 1 a.m.
After being sold a .38 caliber revolver worth P1,500 through a poseur buyer, police immediately collared the two.
Police also seized six sachets of suspected shabu when they frisked the suspects.
The duo were immediately brought to NPD custody for proper disposition. (Joseph Pedrajas)