Notorious crime gang leader nabbed in Nueva Ecija

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Police arrested the alleged leader of a notorious gang engaged in drugs and robbery in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija Saturday, July 16.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-3 director Police Brig. Gen.  Matthew P. Baccay identified the suspect as Marlon Salvador, 37, businessman, tagged as the leader of the Salvador Criminal Group operating in Central Luzon and nearby areas.

Baccay said joint operatives of the Gapan City police, 303rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3, and 4th Maneuver Platoon, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company nabbed Salvador in his house in Barangay Mahipon.

The suspect was arrested on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Elenita Casipit, executive judge, Gapan City Regional Trial Court for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Salvador and three others – Richard Ising, Arnel Morales, and Raymond Morales – were having a pot session when police arrived.

Recovered from Salvador  were an Armscor shotgun, Winchester caliber .22 rifle, Colt caliber .38 revolver,  an airgun,  MK2 hand grenade, magazine for caliber .45 with six bullets,  green shotgun sling with 13 rounds for a 12-gauge shotgun, bullets for various firearms, P36,300 cash, eight medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 40.4 grams with an estimated value of P274,720, and other drug paraphernalia.

Salvador was also considered as a high-value individual and he is included in the regional Top 10 drug personalities. 

Charges for violation of RA 10591, RA 9516 (illegal possession of explosives), and RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied against the suspect for court referral.