CACHE OF GUNS, BULLETS FOUND IN HOUSE OF ROB-HOMICIDE SUSPECT IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga —  A follow-up probe conducted for the arrest of a suspect facing a robbery with homicide case on Friday led police to the discovery of a cache of assorted firearms, ammunition, and other equipment in Bgy. Imelda Valley, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

According to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the operation was conducted by joint elements of the Palayan City Police Station, Llanera police, Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PIU-NEPPO), and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Nueva Ecija.

The suspect was identified as alias “Ecel,” 28, a native of Malauanay, Valencia, Negros Occidental, and residing in Bgy. Imelda Valley.

Members of the Llanera Police Station led by Capt. Edmer Portillo, and the  PIU-NEPPO personnel were conducting a follow-up probe into a robbery with homicide case reported in Bgy. Casile, Llanera, Nueva Ecija.

Through coordination with the Palayan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), authorities reviewed CCTV footage and were able to identify the vehicle allegedly used by the suspect.

Operatives later proceeded to the suspect’s house in Palayan City. However, upon arrival, the suspect reportedly fled toward his house, prompting police to pursue and enter the premises to effect arrest and verify the presence of possible accomplices.

While inside, authorities said they discovered in plain view several pieces of evidence, including a black Honda motorcycle with sidecar locally known as kolong-kolong without a plate number,  a 9mm submachine gun (Uzi), a .38 caliber firearm, a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver, 17 magazines for M16 rifles, and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition of various calibers, including 12-gauge shotgun shells, a cal. 9mm, a cal. .45, a 7.62mm, a cal.38, and a cal.357.

Also seized were 12 assorted Android mobile phones, two ballistic vests with Level 4 armor, two handheld radios, 10 solar panel boards, two rifle grenade ammunition, multiple motorcycles, including a black Rusi with plate number 778 RXN and a red Rusi without a plate number, a red Toyota Corolla bearing plate number PLA 931 and four assorted motorcycle engines.

Police are hunting down the suspect.