The long arm of the law finally caught up with GILBERT MASTELERO Y DE LUNA alias BETH/EMBET/MASTE.
After almost nine months of hiding from law enforcers, Mastelero, 34, was arrested at around 12:30 in the afternoon of December 6, 2012 at his residence in Brgy. Estaka Buri, Catbalogan City, by elements of PDEA-WSPO (Calbayog Satellite Office, with the assistance of the 2nd Coy RPSB8, Provincial Public Safety Company SPPO, Catbalogan City Police Station led by PSUPT ELMER B. CINCO and elements of RSOG8 led by PI CONSTANTINO C. JABONETE JR. under the supervision and direction of PSUPT AVELINO B. DONCILLO JR.
Mastelero, married, jobless and a former member of Philippine Army (AWOL), was hunted down by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Calbayog Regional Trial Court for Violation of Section 5, Article II of R.A 9165, docketed under criminal case number 6751. No bail recommended for his temporary liberty.
It may be recalled that on March 16, 2012, Mastelero was arrested together with Samantha Rose B. Kenney, 18 years old, at the La Vista Pensionne in Calbayog City after selling methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to a PDEA agent who acted as poseur-buyer. Mastelero managed to evade arrest while Kenney was charged for illegal possession of dangerous drugs. She is now out on bail.
After search following the service of the Warrant of Arrest, the following items were recovered from Mastelero’s possession and control: one (1) caliber 22 revolver, five (5) pcs. live ammo of caliber 22 Magnum, nine (9) pcs. live ammo of caliber 9 mm., seven (7) pcs. of used lighter, one (1) roll tin foil, one (1) used sachet with suspected residue of shabu and used tin foil.
Subject accused, a watch-listed personality, was brought to Samar Provincial Hospital for medical examination before being presented to court.
Meanwhile, cases for illegal possession of firearms and violation of Sec. 12, Art. II of RA 9165 are being prepared for filling in court.
