Barili barangay captain arrested for illegal possession of firearms

CEBU, Philippines - Police yesterday arrested the barangay captain of Mayana, Barili town after he was found with three firearms and several live ammunitions.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 arrested Jonas Bonondo, 38, by virtue of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras.

The CIDG applied for the warrant after it conducted surveillance on Bonondo who was complained of by a resident of his barangay for carrying the firearms.

At 6am yesterday, the CIDG operatives proceeded to Bonondo’s house in Barangay Mayana and recovered from him a caliber .45 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, both with serial numbers, and a caliber .357 revolver.

They also recovered two magazines, 18 live ammunitions, 10 empty shells and a holster for the .45 pistol, as well as four live ammunitions for a 12-gauge shotgun, and three live ammunitions and a holster for the caliber .357 revolver.

The CIDG found that both the .45 caliber and the shotgun have memorandum receipts issued by the municipality, but Bonondo failed to present pertinent documents for the cal .357 revolver.

Bonondo claimed the .357 revolver is owned by his brother, but the CIDG said Bonondo can present his defense at the prosecutor’s office.

Bonondo, for his part, believes that politics is behind his arrest, considering that the Barangay election is just about three months away. 

He is currently detained at the CIDG-7 stockade while a charge for illegal possession of firearms is prepared against him. (THE FREEMAN)