Armed rider falls in police checkpoint

A police checkpoint in barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City netted a 33-year-old man who had in his possession an unlicensed firearm and illegal drugs.

George Barangga, 33, a resident of sitio Locatha in barangay Looc is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Headquarters detention cell pending the filing of appropriate charges against him at the Prosecutor’s office.

The police team headed by Chief Insp. Conrado Manatad flagged down Barangga around 11 p.m. for driving without a helmet. But when he stopped, the policemen found in his possession the unlicensed caliber .45 pistol with six live bullets and a sachet of crystalline power believed to be shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Police are still checking Barangga’s background for possible involvement in any criminal activity. The seized gun will be subjected to a ballistics tests to determine if it was used in a prior crime./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA