The arrest and filing of charges against four suspects linked to robbery-hold-up, murder and drug peddling activities in Manapla, Negros Occidental, is expected to reduce the crime rate and proliferation of illegal drugs in the town, Senior Inspector Edencio Gregorio said.

Charges for illegal possession of firearms were filed yesterday by the Manapla police against arrested suspects Nilo Besonia, Jobert Santia and suspected drug peddler Danny Villanueva before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Negros Occidental.

Gregorio, who is the Manapla police chief, said additional charges for violation of RA 9165,known as the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002, will be filed against them after the police recovered three sachets of suspected shabu, aside from a 357 magnum revolver from Villanueva’s possession.

The arrest of Villanueva who allegedly traded shots with policemen on April 6 at Crossing Sentral in Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, before his arrest, also led to the arrest of Besonia, Santia and his brother, Felix, who has a pending arrest warrant for robbery, in Brgy. Tortosa of the same town, almost two days after.

Gregorio said Villanueva is listed among the drug personalities operating in Manapla, while Besonia and Jobert were linked to incidents of two killings, while Felix was also alleged to have been involved in the hold-up activities in the town.

The arrest of the four suspects yielded a .45 caliber pistol with two magazines containing ammunition, a 357 magnum revolver and two homemade shotguns with four live bullets.

Gregorio said they are now trying to determine if Besonia and the Santia brothers have something to do with the shooting and attempted robbery of Roy Dalisay and his sister, Leah, in Hacienda Bilbao, Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla, on April 5. *GPB

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