By Jennifer P. Rendon
Around P950,000 worth of liquor were seized in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo afternoon of April 24, 2020.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) intercepted 500 boxes of whisky placed in a dump truck and a closed van at Barangay Agutayan.
Initial investigation indicated that CIDG members and members of Sta. Barbara Police Station ran into the “contraband” at an automative shop owned by a certain Boy Saludares.
Police Major Raymond Celoso, Sta. Barbara police chief, confirmed that Saludares was one of the four persons taken into police custody.
Police also apprehended the two drivers and one helper.
The two trucks breezed through checkpoints after concealing the alcoholic goods.
A liquor ban is in effect in Iloilo province as mandated by Executive Order No. 080 (An Order Enforcing an Enhanced Community Quarantine Over the Entire Province of Iloilo for Stronger Protection Against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19).
The order mandates that “the selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing, and transporting of alcoholic beverages, such as, whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, cocktail, wine, champagne, beer and such other intoxicating drinks, shall be prohibited.”
The van, on which the liquor was loaded, posed as an “Essential Goods” transport based on the tarpaulin hanging on its body.
On the other hand, the truck also had a vehicle pass note claiming it was transporting medical health workers.
Celoso said they might be charged for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person) and usurpation.
But Celoso said it is up to the CIDG to file the appropriate charges.
