CEBU, Philippines - Three barangay officials of two barangays in Barili town were arrested for illegal possession of firearms during successive raids conducted by elements of the Provincial Intelligence Branch early morning last Tuesday.
Arrested were brothers Jose, Nestor and Rumolo Presbetiro. Nestor is the barangay captain of Paril while Romulo is a councilman of neighboring barangay Giloctog.
Chief Insp. Elma delos Santos, head of PIB, said they conducted the raids after surveillance operations confirmed reports that the brothers were in possession of high caliber firearms. Delos Santos said they started receiving the reports in December last year.
Provincial Police Director Carmelo Valmoria said the Firearms Explosive Security Agency Guard Supervisory Service confirmed that the Presbetiro brothers did not have firearms registered with FESAGSS.
The raiding team first went to the house of Jose around 7:30 from where they seized one colt MK IV .45 caliber pistol with long magazine with 10 live ammunitions, two magazines, 59 live ammunitions, six empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol, and one black leather holster.
From there, they proceeded to Nestor’s house where they confiscated a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine with five live ammunition, one long magazine, and one frontier revolver.
After which, they went to Rumolo’s house in the neighboring barangays and seized one 30 caliber US Carbine with a magazine with 12 live ammunition.
The raids were conducted by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Meinrado Paredes of Regional Trial Court Branch 13.
Valmoria emphasized that the raids involved nothing political and that they were only doing their job. He said that if the brothers really wanted to possess the firearms, they should have registered them properly.
Jimboy Marabeliz, a barangay coordinator and close friend of Rumolo said the brothers used to be members of an anti-communist group and that the firearms are reportedly properties of the government. He said Jose and Rumolo have been efficient officials of the barangay.
The PIB was assisted by the Barili police and members of the 78th Infantry Battalion led by Insp. Wilfredo Pulvera together with 1st Lieutenant Roy Dalumpines, 1st Lieutenant Lorenzo Siobal, PO3 Acelino Ricaplaza, PO3 Yvonned Ilustrisisimo and PO3 Epifanio Gonzaga.
The FREEMAN tried to get the side of the subjects but they refused to issue any comment. The three already underwent inquest proceedings at the provincial prosecutor’s office yesterday and were subsequently brought back to Barili. — Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)