Calumpit’s top drug pusher ‘Papa Bear’ nabbed while visiting brod-in-law in Malolos hospital

Authorities have arrested the number one drug pusher in Calumpit, Bulacan after visiting his injured brother-in-law at the hospital, an exclusive report by GMA News' Victoria Tulad said Thursday.

Manolito Martin alias Papa Bear was nabbed at the Malolos General Hospital on Wednesday night when he visited Sam Roldan, who was injured on the cheeks, nape, and ribs when unidentified gunmen shot him in Barangay Gatbuca.

A CCTV footage showed Roldan driving sport-utility vehicle when the gunmen opened fire at him and his passenger Charlie Dionisio, who was left dead at the crime scene.

Calumpit PNP chief Supt. Santos Mera Jr. said the suspects wore bonnets so the CCTV cannot identify them.

"Nakabonnet sila at nakamotor. Di masyadong nakita sa CCTV camera," Mera said.

Authorities are still investigating the crime but are looking into illegal drugs as a possible motive, the report said.

Meanwhile, police found a hand grenade, a 9mm firearm, several live ammunition, a bonnet, and three sachets of suspected shabu in one of Martin's bags.

Martin said his bag only contained a firearm for self-defense amid what happened to Roldan.

"Pang self-defense, ma'am. Natakot lang po kami nung may mangyari dun sa bata kaya po nung sinundan namin siya nagsiguro lang po kami," he said.

Martin said he is unsure who did the crime to Roldan, saying their family has no enemies. He, however, admitted using illegal drugs and is no longer actively selling them.

Martin added he and his in-laws now have a buy and sell business for motor vehicles.

"Nagba-buy and sell po ng manugang ko nagbakas po kami ng puhunan para mag buy and sell," he said.

Barangay Gatbuca chairman Rusty De Castro said Martin had earlier surrendered to them but eventually returned to drug pushing.

"Isa sa surrenders ko yan e. Kaya lang normally sumurrender lang pero ganoon pa rin," De Castro said.

Mera, for his part, said most drug personalities arrested by the Calumpit PNP point to Martin as their supplier.

"Lahat ng nahuhuli namin siya tinuturo, sa kanya kumukuha. Problema rin siya ng Apalit, Pampanga," Mera said.

Martin will face charges of Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives and possible violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News