Ex-cop alleged to be leader of gun-for-hire group arrested in Pangasinan

Authorities arrested in Pangasinan a former police officer who was alleged to be the leader of the Magpali gun-for-hire criminal group that operates mostly in Region 1.

The Philippine National Police’s Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group said its operatives nabbed dismissed cop Wilson Magpali in Barangay Legaspi, Tayug around 4:40 a.m. last Sunday.

Magpali was captured based on a warrant of arrest for murder issued by Presiding Judge Nyerson Dexter Tito Quilala Tualla of the Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 28 in San Fernando City, La Union.

According to the PNP-IMEG, the suspect was the subject of a manhunt in July 2021 after then President Rodrigo Duterte issued an order to arrest members of the Magpali GFH group which was allegedly hired by politicians to murder rival politicians ahead of the 2022 elections.

Recovered from Magpali were a 9mm Berreta pistol that had PNP property markings, as well as three magazines with ammunition.

The suspect is in the custody of the PNP-IMEG Luzon Field Unit for documentation before presentation and return of the warrant of arrest from the court of origin.

Camarines Sur cop

Meanwhile, PNP Police Provincial Office 5 announced the arrest of Police Chief Master Sergeant Romeo Pelenio Jr. for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs and for allegedly extorting cash from drug personalities in exchange for protection.

Pelenio was nabbed in a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local police entrapment operation on Monday at Barangay Hibago in Omcapo, Camarines Sur at around 7:30 a.m.

Pelenio was assigned to the Camarines Sur Provincial Police Office.

Seized from the suspect were 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P68,000, a 9mm Glock 17 pistol with 28 live rounds, a motorcycle, and other paraphernalia.

The suspect is under the custody of PDEA Camarines Sur and will be charged for violating RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. — DVM, GMA News