BUTUAN CITY – A 33-year-old paralegal candidate posing as a policeman and his two companions were arrested in a Commission on Elections checkpoint in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City, on Friday, May 9.
Real cops net bogus police officer, 2 pals in Comelec checkpoint
Police Regional Office 10-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Joann G. Navarro, identified the suspects as Sal, of Quezon City, and Ban, 30, and Moh, 47, both from Parang, Maguindanao del Norte province.
The Iligan City Police Office-Station 2 flagged down the suspects’ black Toyota Fortuner for routine inspection.
“Our ground troops observed suspicious behavior when the front passenger handed a sling bag to the rear passenger, who attempted to hide it, but when questioned the 30-year-old ‘Sal’ falsely claimed to be a PNP member but failed to present valid identification,” Navarro said.
A reflectorized vest with Highway Patrol Group markings was also found on the front passenger seat, prompting authorities to hold the suspects for further verification, Navarro said.
A pat-down and vehicle search conducted in the presence of a witness led to the discovery of a Glock 17 pistol in the rear compartment, a .45 caliber pistol on the driver’s seat, a .45 caliber magazine in the rear, one Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol, 13 9mm live cartridges, one Colt MK IV Series 80 .45 caliber pistol, eight .45 caliber live cartridges, two steel magazines for a .45 caliber pistol, and seven additional .45 caliber live cartridges.
“During questioning, one of the suspects claimed that the Glock 17 pistol was borrowed from a relative, who allegedly obtained it from a police officer in BARMM who was offering it for sale. This statement is subject to further validation,” police said.
Navarro said the suspects will be charged for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 (Omnibus Election Code).
Sal will also face charges for Usurpation of Authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.
The suspects, along with the seized firearms and vehicle, are in the custody of ICPO-Station 2. Seized guns will undergo ballistics examination and verification of firearm origin and registration
PRO-10 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. de Guzman commended lawmen for their accomplishment.