2 held after yielding guns,’shabu’ at checkpoint in Gapan City

GAPAN CITY — Police arrested two persons who allegedly assaulted them and yielded pistols, a grenade and illegal drugs when accosted at a checkpoint in Barangay San Vicente here on Tuesday (Jan. 25) evening.

The suspects were identified as John Paul Neirval, 23, and Arnold Rebamba, 26, both from Barangay Kapalangan here but currently residing in Poblacion, San Antonio, also in Nueva Ecija province.

Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito, city police chief, said the suspects were on board a motorcycle and did not wear helmets when flagged down at the anti-criminality checkpoint. The two reportedly shoved and verbally assaulted the policemen.

“Instead of obeying, the two disregarded (the call to stop) and even attempted to escape,” Desamito said, adding that this resulted in a chase.

When caught, Rebamba yielded a loaded .9mm-caliber pistol while a loaded .45-caliber pistol marked was seized from Neirval, Desamito said.

The two suspects also yielded a hand grenade and nine sachets of alleged “shabu” (crystal meth) with a combined value of P3,060.

Charges for direct assault, violation of the Omnibus Election Code or gun ban, and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed against the suspects.