Trader and nephew arrested for guns

Elements of Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau yesterday arrested a businesswoman and her nephew for possessing three firearms, one of these believed to have been used in the killing of a member of the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) in Balamban town, last October 3.

Arrested by PIIB elements were Esperanza Suroy-suroy and her nephew Ambrosio Balolot, both residents of barangay Tubigag Manok, Asturias town, Cebu.

Armed with search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court judge Geraldine Econg, the police authorites raided the house of Suroy-suroy and resulted to the confiscation of two .357 revolvers and a .45 cal. pistol as well as ammunition for both handguns.

The raid was an offshoot of the investigation of the killing of BIN member Agusto Tagonon who was killed by men believed to be members of the New People's Army in Balamban town during the fiesta celebration of the said municipality.

Cebu Provincial Police director Vicente Loot told reporters that the .45 cal. pistol might have been the gun used to kill Tagonon.

"Ipa-ballistic namo ang firearm ug kun mo-match, nahibawo na sila unsay ilang liability," Loot said.

Balolot admitted that the three firearms were owned by their relatives, but he these were left with them for security after they were strafed by unidentified men last July 22 over a land dispute with the Mabinay family in Asturias, Cebu.

The .45 cal. pistol was owned by a Francisco Nolasco, believed to be member of the NPA.

"Dili man gyud na amoa, igo ra na gibutang diha para lang daw magamit in case mosug ug usab ang among mga kontra," Suroy-suroy said.

Despite this, Loot said they are still liable and will be charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Suroy-suroy said she will be hiring a lawyer who can defend her and her nephew because they are willing to tell the truth that they were not really the owners of the said firearms. - Ramil V. Ayuman and Flor Z. Perolina