CIDG-7 chief: We have no intention to keep the airsoft rifles

CEBU - The regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has defended his men for the delay in the turn over to the court of the expensive toy guns that they have seized from a businessman during a raid in barangay Talamban last week.

CIDG-7 Chief Guillermo Eleazar said his men have no intention to hide the expensive airsoft rifles, but said they decided to delay their turn over to the court pending the results of their verification.

Despite that, Eleazar apologized to the public, particularly to the court, for the controversy that it had caused.

“Rest assured that we will work hard so we could have more accomplishments.. babawi kami,” he said.

Eleazar explained that it is not their intention not to turn over to the court the airsoft rifles that they have seized from businessman Noel Remedio, saying they even presented them to the media in a press conference.

The CIDG had already turned over to the court the three airsoft M-16 rifles, one MP5 airsoft, two air guns and oxygen tanks after Regional Trial Court judge Geraldine Faith Econg complained that the seized items were lacking compared to what she have seen in a newspaper.

CIDG-7 deputy chief Ritchie Posadas said the reason why they were not immediately turned over to the court is because their office is yet to verify whether the confiscated items should be included in the charge for illegal possession of firearms.

Econg is concerned on the missing airsoft guns because it was her who issued the warrant that allowed the CIDG agents to conduct the raid on Remedio’s house.

Aside from the airsoft guns and air rifles, the CIDG agents also seized from the house of the suspect a.380 Llama pistol, caliber .45 pistol, a shotgun and about 300 rounds of ammunitions. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)