Firearms, drugs seized in Compostela raid

FIREARMS and illegal drugs were seized from the house of a previously arrested drug personality during a raid conducted by members of the Compostela Municipal Police Station in Compostela, Cebu Friday morning, May 23, 2025.

The operation was conducted based on a search warrant issued by the court. It started at 6:45 a.m. and ended at 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, in Purok Mangga, Sitio Danikop, Barangay Basak, Compostela.

The owner of the house, who was the subject of the search warrant and suspected of possessing illegal firearms and drugs, was not present during the operation. Only his two caretakers were found inside.

Those arrested were Renan Malabon, 21, from Purok Mahogany, Barangay Lupa Compostela, and Allien Tungal Ochea, 37, from Purok Kawayan, Barangay Basak, Compostela.

The subject of the search warrant, Reynaldo Laguna Lucero, managed to escape.

The operatives seized a 9mm KG9 machine pistol, a shotgun, a 9mm revolver without serial numbers, magazines, and more than 100 bullets of various calibers.

During further inspection of the house, the police also recovered one large package and eight medium packs of shabu (methamphetamine) weighing 219 grams with an estimated street value of P1,883,400.

Police Captain Lino Galvan III, officer-in-charge of Compostela Police Station, said the raid was based on a search warrant issued by Judge Lucila Cad-Enjambre, presiding Judge of RTC Branch 89 in Mandaue City, dated May 19, 2025, related to violations of Republic Act 10591.

Galvan said the target of the operation was on the Barangay Drug Abuse Council s watchlist and was also identified as the source of illegal drugs for those arrested at the police station.

The two caretakers admitted that one of them was responsible for feeding the target s chickens. They also claimed that the firearms were for their employer s protection against competitors in the illegal drug trade.

Aside from being involved in illegal drugs, their employer, Reynaldo, was also selling firearms.

The two caretakers and their employer, Reynaldo, will face charges for violations of Section 11, Article II, Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act). (AYB)