TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A former councilor of Pasil town who is a candidate for municipal councilor was arrested by combined police operatives and anti-narcotics agents after having found in his possession alleged illegal drugs and firearms during an anti-illegal drug operation in barangay Dagupan Weste, here, Thursday.
Police authorities identified the suspect as Dexter Gayawet Batalao, of legal age and a resident of barangay Dagupan Weste, Tabuk City, Kalinga who is considered as one of the high value drug suspects in the Cordillera.
His residence was the subject of a search warrant issued by Judge Jerson Angog of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 25 in Tabuk City, Kalinga.
Confiscated by the authorities during the said search were several plastic sachets containing suspected shabu along with a firearm and live ammunitions.
He was taken into the custody of the operating government forces and will be charged with violation of the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms Law.
Previously, the arrested high value target had been arrested for alleged drug-related offenses
In 2018, he was arrested by concerned authorities for a similar case during a drub buy bust operation that was conducted against him.
The volume of drugs and the type of firearm confiscated from the arrested individual has yet to be released by the operating government troops. By HENT
