Police have arrested three alleged members of a notorious criminal gang engaged in drug trafficking and other criminal activities in Taguig City.
The suspects — Paul Adrienne Patricio, alias Paul, 20; Ron Bryan Esteban, alias Arbhee, 21, and Mark John Esteban, alias Macky, 27 — were caught in possession of illegal drugs, bladed weapons, firearms, and ammunitions.
Citing reports from Taguig City Police Station commander Col. Robert Baesa, Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said members of the elite squad Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Intelligence Unit operatives arrested the suspects at a basketball court along J.P. Rizal Street in Barangay Tuktukan around 8:30 p.m Thursday.
“The Intelligence Section office received a phone call from Barangay Intelligence Network agent that three malefactors were armed with firearms at the place. Immediately, Intelligence operatives and SWAT personnel under the guidance of Col. Baesa proceeded to the location to verify the report,” said Macaraeg.
The arresting team confiscated from the suspects one caliber 9MM pistol loaded with three live ammunition, a 38-cal revolver with three live ammunition, one cartridge 40mm explosive, one fan knife, and 15 grams of shabu worth P98,150.
Macaraeg said the three suspects were members of Loloy Drug Group, a criminal gang led by one Loloy Fernandez, based in Barangay Ususan in Taguig.
He added the group was involved in the series of shooting incidents in Taguig where the victims were individuals involved in drug dealing who “failed to remit the earnings from the drug trade.”
“Likewise, police officers and other law enforcement agencies who refused to take bribe from them and took part in the anti-illegal drugs operation are being threatened and attacked by the said group,” said Macaraeg.
The suspects are now detained at the Custodial Facility of Taguig City Police Station while the recovered pieces of evidence were turned over to SPD Forensic Unit for chemical analysis and ballistics examination.
Charges of illegal possession of deadly weapon, unlicensed firearms and ammunitions, explosives, and violation of Republic Act 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act) will be filed against them.
Macaraeg commended the Taguig City police for their latest successful operation.
“Rest assured that this will not the end for this criminal group because our intensified intelligence gathering measures continues to hunt other members of this notorious group,” he said.
