Charges filed vs. 9 arrested armed men

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has already filed a case against the nine men from Tabuelan town who was arrested for having guns the other day.

Representatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit brought Joramil Almonacin, his cousin Adonis Almonacin, Walter Miano, Ferdinand Urgel, Baltazar Yestubio, Dennis Sollano, Roger Nuñez and Brendon Maglasang and Soriano Solon to the office of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office to formally file the case against them.

The nine were arrested by agents of the Regional Intelligence Unit and Regional Intelligence Division who were looking for Kantoba-on barangay captain Julieto Almonacin, a suspect in a shooting incident in that barangay.

Adonis, the nephew of Julieto, said he was just there at the house of his uncle to sleep when he was arrested.

“Nagduda ko nga binuhatan gayud ni sa pikas, hugot gud among suporta sa administrasyon. Mas kami paman gani ang gi-harass,” Adonis said.

Maglasang and Urgel said they went to the house of Julieto because they were going to build a fence around his house because Julieto has received many death threats.

According to RID-7 chief Chief Insp. Romeo Santander Julieto was not in his house Thursday night.

The warrant of arrest against Julieto was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 10 judge Soliver Peras regards to the shooting incident that happened last April 5.

Julieto, the president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Tabuelan town, was accused of shooting at the house of a certain Orlando Almodiel. Both Julieto and Almodiel are supporting opposing candidates for the Tabuelan mayor.

Recovered from the suspects were a 9mm Ingram machine pistol, four .357 revolvers and two .45 pistols and ammunition.

Those arrested are now facing the Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms and the Commission on Elections gun ban. — Lesley S. Caminade with Gabriel C. Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)