4 men from Manila nabbed for drug trafficking after escaping Kalinga checkpoint

Tabuk City, Kalinga — Four men suspected of drug trafficking ended in the hands of the police after a chase that started in Romualdez, Rizal to Quezon, Isabela Sunday afternoon, June 27.

Suspects were identified as Jerwin Lipalam, 24, resident of Tondo, Manila; Jayson Pallares Tresmil, 24, resident of Caloocan City; Alvin Guiyab, 20, resident of San Mariano, Isabela; and a 17-year-old.

Police Colonel Davy Vicente Limmong, Kalinga Police Provincial Director said they received a piece of information around 1:20 PM about a Vios gray car, allegedly ferrying marijuana from Tabuk City, which led to the intensification and activation of checkpoints.

At 1:30 PM, the car being monitored passed at a checkpoint in Romualdez. However, when the police asked the driver for their identities, it immediately sped off towards Quezon. Right then, the chase between the police and the suspects started with the police stations nearby being notified about the speeding vehicle.

Seeing that the highway in Quezon was already blocked with checkpoints and the Kalinga police following them behind, they entered towards Barangay Alunan, Quezon where they abandoned their car and tried to run away on foot.

Having no knowledge of the area, they weren’t able to get away from the authorities, resulting in their arrest at around 2:10 PM.

Recovered from them include 10 bricks of alleged marijuana worth P1,200,000; a piece of Cal 38 revolver; five live ammunitions of Cal 38; a Vios gray vehicle; android cellphone; and 2 bags.

The three adult suspects were brought to Quezon Police Station while the minor was referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

Claim of one of the suspects

Meanwhile, during the live coverage of the Police Regional Office II Regional Public Information Office, one of the suspects, Guiyab, who came from San Mariano, Isabela, said that he went to Manila two years ago to work.

He added, he was the one who drove the car from Manila to Tabuk, but he claimed he was not aware that the purpose of their travel was to get illegal drugs.

“Ito pa lang po ‘yung biyahe ko ngayon. First time ko lang po [ma-involve], kasi ‘di ko po alam talaga na ganyan po ‘yung ano [pakay],” he said.

“Pero hindi naman po ako gumagamit niyan [marijuana] o kasama sa kanila. Sila lang po talaga,” he further claimed.

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