PNP-CIDG collars 3 gun ban violators
THREE persons were hauled to jail by agents of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition this week amid the unit’s stepped-up effort to account for weapons that could be used to disrupt the May 9 national and local elections, PNP-CIDG Director Major General Eliseo DC Cruz said yesterday.
One of the suspects, Cris Allera Sr., tagged as a leader of an organized crime group in Western Visayas, was arrested by CIDG Bacolod City operatives who raided his house in Purok Langka in Barangay Tabugon in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.
The raid was conducted on the strength of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 issued by Judge Rodney Magbanua of the Kabankalan City Regional Trial (RTC) Court Branch 61.
Recovered inside the suspect’s house were one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines containing ten live ammunition, one modified M1 Garand rifle with an improvised magazine with 16 bullets, a Garand ammunition clip, three holsters, a plastic sachet of shabu, and several drug paraphernalia.
Maj. Gen. Cruz said that the suspect is known to be the leader of “Allera Group” engaged in gun smuggling, gun-for-hire, illegal drug peddling, and gun-running activities in Kabankalan City and neighboring towns of Negros Island.
The suspect is now facing charges for violating RA 10591 and RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The two other suspects were identified as Jacqueline Tan, 38, and her husband, Miel Yu Tan, 35, both contractors and owners of MJIEL Constructions in Quezon province.
Maj. Gen. Cruz said that members of the CIDG Quezon Field Unit stormed the couple’s compound in Sitio NFA, Bgy. Madulao in Catanauan municipality last Tuesday and placed the two under arrest after they recovered a cal. .38 pistol, a cal. 5.56 assault rifle, a cal. 40 pistol, a 9mm pistol, one 12-gauge shotgun, 24 magazines of various calibers, 1,330 rounds of assorted ammunition, and several gun paraphernalia.
The raid was conducted on the basis of a warrant for violation of RA 10591 issued by Judge Glenda Mendoza-Ramos of the Calamba City RTC Branch 36.
The two are now facing charges for violation of RA 10591.
