Former Talisay barangay captain indicted for guns, explosives

CEBU, Philippines - A former barangay captain from Talisay City, Marc Ferdinand “Denden” Bas, is now facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives after his case was filed in court yesterday.

It was reported that Bas, the former barangay captain of Lagtang in Talisay City, was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest after personnel of Cebu Provincial Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch conducted raid operation at his residence at Kishanta Subdivision and seized firearm, bullets, and a hand grenade.

But the filing of the case became controversial after Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Eric Noble filed a case against one of Talisay City’s prosecutors, Benjo Luther Macion, for his comment about police putting an extra grenade among the evidence seized during the serving of a search warrant in the residence of Bas.

Noble wants Macion to voluntary inhibit from the case and also sought for legal assistance from Talisay City Prosecutor Marshall Rubia to determine the proper action against Macion’s comment.

But Rubia said that they did not inhibit Macion, adding that he is capable of arriving at a just conclusion in determining the probable cause of the case.  He added that Macion drafted an affidavit explaining his comment during the inquest proceedings.

“Naa siya gihimo nga affidavit regarding ato, i-furnished ni Noble para aware siya unsa'y reasons nganong mao to ang nahitabo,” he said.

Bas’ father, Talisay City Councilor Arturo Bas, said that they will file a motion to bail although possession of explosives is a non-bailable offense, since they believed that the evidence was planted.

Before his case was filed in court, there were reports that Bas was given special treatment in the city’s detention cell after he was seen allegedly going in and out of his cell freely, eating outside his cell, and even using a mobile phone.

But he and his father denied all the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has charged an inmate of Cebu City Jail for illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drugs paraphernalia.

Prosecutor III Anna Lou Fernandez-Cavada recommended no bail against Remil Lequin, alias Ado, after a total of 19.0098 grams of shabu were seized from his possession during a Greyhound Operation conducted back in 2016.

Aside from shabu, drugs paraphernalia were also recovered from the possession of Lequin.

“The records of the case clearly show that there exists probable cause to charge the respondents of violation of Sec. 11 and 12 Art. II of Republic Act  9165. Complainant and the other members of the team, who acted on the PDEA-BJMP Manual of Operation, conducted a lawful greyhound operation and were able to seize from the kubol, occupied and under the direct control of respondent, drugs and drug paraphernalia,” read the prosecutor's resolution.

On August 13, 2016, at about 2 a.m., joint elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7, Police Regional Office-7, Special Weapons and Tactics team, Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 and the Philippine Coastguard conducted Greyhound Operation at Cebu City Jail.  As a result, shabu and drugs paraphernalia were recovered from the kubol of Lequin.

Cavada sent a subpoena to Lequin on September 6, 2016 but the latter failed to submit his counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence. Thus, Cavada resolved the complaint based on evidence.

“The allegations of complainant remained un-rebutted as respondent failed to submit his counter-affidavit or any other pleading in his favor. Thus, undersigned is without recourse but to recommend for the filing of the present complaint,” the resolution further reads. — Iris Mariani B. Algabre and Mylen P. Manto (FREEMAN)