An allegedly elusive and notorious suspected drug pusher whose family is behind the filing of administrative charges against Senior Inspector Santiago Rapiz before the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman, was arrested by the police on Saturday in Brgy. Capitan Ramon, Silay City.

Rocky Belonio who topped the list of 10 most-wanted drug personalities in E.B. Magalona, was arrested by a team of policemen led by Rapz after more than eight months of manhunt operations. Belonio has pending arrest warrants for violation of RA 9165, and illegal possession of firearms on two counts.

Police investigations show that Belonio eluded captivity when the police raided his residence in E.B. Magalona last year. However, a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver and four sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from his house, the police said. Rapiz said the nephew of Belonio who is a minor and a third year high school student of E.B. Magalona High School, is also facing similar drug-related charges in court.

The filing of charges against the nephew also led to the filing of counter-charges against Rapiz before the Visayas Ombudsman for alleged dishonesty, grave oppression and misconduct as well as abuse of authority, which the E.B. Magalona police chief vehemently denied.

Rapiz attributed the arrest of Belonio to the vigilance of his Barangay Intelligence Network members, in coordination with the 6th Regional Mobile Group and Silay policemen.

E.B. Magalona Judge Evelyn Gengos has recommended bail of P120,000 for RA 9165 and another P120,000 for illegal possession of firearms, for Belonio who is now locked up in jail.

Rapiz said Belonio who tried to escape, but when cornered by his police captors, surrendered peacefully, although he was observed using his wife as a shield.

Police investigations show Belonio sought refuge with the relatives of his wife in Brgy. Capitan Ramon, Silay City, after his residence in E.B. Magalona was placed under surveillance by the police for several months.*GPB

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