By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Policemen arrested three persons who were allegedly caught stealing a cow and later yielded suspected shabu and a loose firearm in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Police identified the suspects as Bacolod residents Jerry Genelaso, 40, of Barangay 15; Clyde Ersida, 33, of Barangay Taculing; and Rollie Francisco, 23, of Libertad extension.
Police Captain Eugene Tolentino, town police chief, said they conducted mobile patrol in response to reported cases of stolen animals in the town recently.
While they were approaching Barangay Bunga, they noticed a van parked at the roadside in Purok Maisan around 4 a.m.
When the police approached them, the three suspects were reportedly seen pushing the cow inside the van.
The suspects failed to present documents or proof that they owned the cow, thus, police held them and conducted a search.
Recovered from Ersida were two sachets of suspected shabu, while police also confiscated from Genelaso a homemade .38-caliber pistol.
Tolentino said that Ersida rented and drove the van, initially telling the rent-a-car firm that he will tour the province with his girlfriend.
“Pirmi man na daw ga rent salakyan kag gina extend-extend lang,” the police chief added.
Tolentino said that cases of stolen animals were also reported previously in Kabankalan City and Cauayan town.
“Same group lang ni sila siguro na ga strike by chance, but they cannot be considered organized, kung ano lang guro maabtan nila,” he said.
Tolentino said the suspects initially denied knowing each other and claimed that they were only hired. But Francisco later admitted to knowing his two companions, according to the police chief.
Tolentino said that charges for violation of Presidential Decree 533 or the “Anti-Cattle Rustling Law of 1974” will be filed against the three suspects.
Additional charges for illegal possession of firearm will be filed against Genelaso, while illegal possession of dangerous drugs will also be filed against Ersida, Tolentino added.
