Puerto Princesa vice mayor falls in drug raid

Authorities arrested on Monday the incumbent Vice Mayor of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan after a raid in his house allegedly yielded guns and suspected shabu. Supt. Enrico Rigor, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police - Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) said the raid in the house of Vice Mayor Luis Marimla Marcaida III on Jacana Road, Bancao at 6 a.m. Monday was by virtue of a warrant issued by Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC Branch 53) Executive Judge Reynaldo Alhambra following reports of his alleged involvement in drugs.

“He is on the regional watchlist,” said Rigor, referring to the list of personalities being linked to illegal drugs in the Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region.

Seized during the operation were 30 sachets suspected to contain shabu which were all wrapped in a transparent plastic pack.

Also confiscated were a caliber 22 rifle, three rifle grenades, a fragmentation grenade and four .45 pistols.

Bancao-Bancao Councilor Alex Marcaida, the brother of the vice mayor said the vice mayor has one registered .45-caliber pistol, while the .22-caliber rifle was inherited from their late father.

Police are checking if the guns seized are registered. If not, police officials said Marcaida III may face additional charges pertaining to illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Rigor said the vice-mayor may be jailed at the PDEG regional office in Mindoro Oriental.

Last week, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa ordered all his commanders to step up the campaign against illegal drugs. (With a report from PNA)