OPERATIVES of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 7 arrested a suspected gun runner and confiscated high-powered firearms during an entrapment at the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City on Saturday.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Public Information Office Chief Supt. Renato Dugan identified the suspect as Joel “Bebot” Pasaol, 43, of Barangay Looc, Danao City.

Recovered from the suspect were two KG-9 machine pistols with four long magazines and a .45 pistol with two magazines.

Dugan said Pasaol’s arrest came after the RID-7 received information that Pasaol was looking for buyers for the firearms.

A team led by Insp. Romeo Sentinta and Insp. Ruel Burlat went to Danao City with the confidential informant on Friday.

A police poseur-buyer, together with the informant, negotiated with Pasaol and paid P30,000 for the price of the firearms.

Dugan said the suspect promised to deliver the firearms the next day in M. Logarta St., North Reclamation Area.

Pasaol wasn’t able to resist arrest after he was picked up by police at 2 p.m.
Dugan said they are still interrogating as to the name of the suspect’s supplier.

When interviewed by the media yesterday, Pasaol refused to issue any statement.

Suspect nabbed

Meanwhile, a man was arrested by police in Tres De Abril St., Barangay Labangon, Cebu City on Friday in connection to the death of a police asset last week.

Nelson Leng, 42, was supposed to be invited by authorities after he was identified as the suspect in the death of Neil Gabutin.

While the RID-7 operatives were approaching him, Leng suddenly drew his firearm, prompting the police to disarm him.

A .38 revoler with three live bullets were recovered from him. When he was frisked, police also found a hand grenade in Leng’s pocket.

Denial

Sentinta, during the press briefing, said they wanted to invite Leng after they were informed he is allegedly involved in the killing of Gabutin.

Gabutin, an asset for the CCPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City last July 20.

“His arrest now is not related to the death of Gabutin because we’re still interrogating him. But to the firearms and explosives we recovered from him,” Sentinta said.

Complaints of illegal possession of firearms and explosives will be filed against the suspect today.
Police catch