Puerto Princesa vice mayor charged for illegal possession of drugs, guns, explosive device

September 5, 2017

Police late Monday charged Puerto Princesa Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III before prosecutors of possessing and selling illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms and explosive device.

The complaint was filed by PO2 Suharto Pendatu,PO2 Mel Japeth Salmo, PO2 Junie Heredero of the Puerto Princesa police and Jose Pocholo Barreto from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency before Prosecutor Fritzie Baban Subang.

Marcaida was arrested Monday morning after operatives seized 30 sachets of suspected shabu wrapped in a self-sealing transparent plastic pack; one 22 caliber rifle; 3 rifle grenade, 1 fragmentation grenade; one 38 caliber, assorted ammunition and magazines for 5.56 and assorted magazine for  caliber .45.

Marcaida waived his rights for speedy resolution of case before the prosecutor. He is now detained at the Puerto Princesa police jail. A drug test done on Marcaida did not show he took illegal substance.

Elmer Zita, Marcaida's spokesperson, said the items were planted and the arrest is politically-motivated. DMS