ABC to probe BIN member caught with gun

CEBU, Philippines — The Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu City will investigate an armed Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) member who tried to enter the Archbishop's Palace Monday.

ABC Cebu City Chapter President Franklyn Ong said BINs are not allowed to carry firearms.

Jerry Lou Labra, 38, was arrested by security personnel at the Archbishop’s Palace for trying to enter the compound with a gun for which he could not show documents.

Labra said he went to the Archbishop’s upon instruction of his boss, Jose Merlito Repoha, to secure Charmain Puran, the witness in the killing of five people in Barangay Malubog, Cebu City last Thursday.

Puran sought shelter with the church after refusing help from police.

Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan confirmed Labra is an active member of Guadalupe BIN.

But Gacasan said Labra did not inform the barangay of his assignment to secure Puran.

“Member sa BIN sa Guadalupe. Pero wala mi kahibaw nganong nagdala siyag armas. Padad-on ra siya og cellphone unta,” he added. 

Labra said he is also a member of the security team that patrols the South Road Properties, which was why he was bringing a .38 caliber pistol. He had reportedly just come from duty.

He said he was among the select BIN members provided with a gun as protective measures against lawless elements, especially during night patrol.

Senior Inspector Eduard Sanchez, Guadalupe Police Station chief, earlier said force multipliers are not allowed to bring guns.

BIN, an anti-crime network created to further improve and maintain the province’s peace and order, is part of the auxiliary police force. BIN members help contain criminal activities and conduct roving operations in the barangay.

Labra denied insinuations that he was there to kill Puran.

On the other hand, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) will no longer provide security assistance to Puran.

“As to Puran, dili na mi moadto didto kay di man siya ganahan sa amoa. Adto lang sa mi ni Antonio Belande. We are very happy he coordinated with us,” said Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, PRO-7 director.

Puran and Belande have claimed that it was the police who arrested them in Banawa, Guadalupe and brought them to the mountain barangay of Malubog where they and several others were made to ride a van, which the “cops” later peppered with bullets.

Unlike Puran, Belande opted to take police assistance.

Belandre reportedly does not want to be interviewed anymore by the press, said Sinas.

“Ang iya (Belandre) safety i-guarantee. Dili siya ganahan ma-overexpose sa public,” the director said. 

Sinas claimed the two of them denied pinning the police down during Sinas’ visit to the hospital, where the witnesses were brought after the incident.

He said an organized crime group might be behind the Malubog shooting.

Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma, Mabolo Police Station chief Dindo Alaras, and SPO4 Antonio Din are leading the Malubog shooting investigation.

There are plans to re-enact the shooting based on the accounts of Belande and other witnesses.

Investigation will also look into the drugs angle, considering that shabu amounting to 150 grams worth P1.7 million was recovered from the crime scene. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila, KBQ (FREEMAN)