‘Checkpoint evaders’ caught for ‘shabu’

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons who evaded a checkpoint were arrested after authorities recovered from them illegal drugs and a bladed weapon at Barangay Mansilingan here last Thursday.

Police identified the suspects as Rodolfo Magbanua, 31, a high-value target and drug surrenderee; and his companion James Ong, 36, both residents of Barangay Vista Alegre.

The two suspects were apprehended after they allegedly tried to flee from a checkpoint led by the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) against colorum or unregistered tricycles at the said village.

Magbanua and Ong were flagged down and reprimanded since one of them was not wearing a helmet but they tried to flee.

A brief chase happened until the two suspects crashed into a power line post.

Authorities seized from the duo 14 sachets of suspected shabu worth P6,800, a knife, bag, two cellular phones, P1,950 cash, and their motorcycle with no plate number.

Both suspects are detained at Police Station 7 for the filing of drug charges and charges for illegal possession of bladed weapon.

Meanwhile, Rene Boy Magan, 32, of Barangay Granada was arrested in a buy-bust at the said village on July 11.

Magan yielded four sachets of suspected shabu worth P6,000, the P300 marked money, lighter, and P320 cash. He is detained at Police Station 5.