A 25-YEAR-OLD driver is in police custody following a pursuit that began at a routine checkpoint and ended in a highway collision and the recovery of illegal drugs at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at a joint checkpoint in Purok 2, Barangay Lacson, Calinan District.
The suspect, identified only as alias Alan, a resident of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, was apprehended by a joint task force near the Davao-Bukidnon Highway after attempting to evade authorities.
Alan was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Grandia van carrying 11 passengers when he was flagged for a routine inspection by Task Force Davao and the 2nd City Mobile Force Company (2nd CMFC-DCPO).
The situation escalated when a member of Task Force Davao questioned the suspect regarding a brown eyeglasses case inside the vehicle.
Instead of complying, Alan reportedly accelerated the van to flee, colliding with a white Isuzu D-Max belonging to the China International Water and Electric Corporation that was positioned directly in front of him.
Following the collision, the suspect continued his flight toward the Davao-Bukidnon Highway. Personnel from the 2nd CMFC and Task Force Davao pursued the vehicle, successfully flagging it down at Purok 10, Calinan Poblacion.
Authorities witnessed the suspect exiting the van and throwing the eyeglasses case into a nearby waterway.
Upon recovery at 11:29 a.m., investigators discovered: Four heated sachets suspected to be shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), and rolled aluminum foil (improvised tooter).
The seized drugs have an estimated street value of P10,812.
The operation was a coordinated effort under the supervision of PMAJ Rowel Saludrez (2nd CMFC), PMAJ Robel Batapa Saavedra (PS10), and Major Joy Damasco (Task Force Davao).
For now the suspect will face violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002): Specifically Sections 11 (Possession) and 12 (Possession of Equipment/Paraphernalia), Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code: Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority, RA 4136 (Land Transportation Code): Administrative charges involving both the suspect and the vehicle owner.
The suspect is currently being held at Police Station 10 Calinan pending further investigation and the formal filing of cases in court.
