Cops seize guns from San Francisco execs town mayor, VM arrested

CEBU, Philippines — The mayor and vice mayor of San Francisco town on Camotes Islands were arrested yesterday morning for illegal possession of firearms and explosive.

Operatives of Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) swooped down on the ancestral house of Mayor Aly Arquillano and his brother Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano in Barangay Poblacion for illegal firearms. They were armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Leopoldo Cañete.

Seized during the raid were caliber .22 rifle with magazine, AR-15 automatic rifle with 12 live rounds of ammunition, a caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and assorted rounds of ammunition. The joint operation of the PIB and San Francisco Police Station led by Police Captain Alejandro Batobalonos stemmed from information that the town’s two highest officials were hoarding unlicensed guns.

After several months of validation, Batobalonos said they were able to confirm the information and immediately applied for a search warrant.

“We received reports that they are keeping firearms and despite our efforts to surrender loose firearms the two local executives did not heed,” Batobalonos said.

He said the firearms may be used by the Arquillanos for their private army in the coming May 13 elections.

Alfredo and Aly are both candidates for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, under the Durano-led Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (BAKUD) Party.

Batobalonos said they have been receiving intelligence reports that the Arquillanos are allegedly maintaining private armies and hoarding illegal firearms.

He said the officials were even subjected to “Oplan Katok” by the town police in February upon which the vice mayor surrendered a caliber .380 pistol with registration expired in November 2014.

Except for the caliber .22 rifle, the Arquillanos denied owning the guns and the fragmentation grenade, suggesting that these were planted by the police.

The mayor explained that the rifle had been missing long time ago. In fact, he already executed an affidavit of loss. But Batobalonos said the police have no political motives against the two town officials.

Politically Motivated

Meanwhile, BAKUD Party president Joseph Felix Mari "Ace" Durano said politics are behind the arrest of their allies in San Francisco town because of their support to the candidacy of Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Governor Hilario Davide III.

“It is what it is.  Party stalwarts are being targeted because they are supporting the Magpale-Davide tandem,” Durano said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

“We believe these are politically motivated to try and create a handicap on the support that the 5th district is giving the Magpale-Davide candidacy,” he added.

Magpale is vying for the gubernatorial seat in the elections with Davide as her running mate.

“This unfortunate incident will not prevent or diminish the support of our allies. It will further strengthen and solidify our alliances,” said Durano.

He said their lawyers are assisting the Arquillanos to ensure that their rights to due process are protected.

The Arquillano brothers are temporarily detained at the CPPO headquarters in Sudlon, Lahug Cebu City. They will be charged for violation of RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosive and violation of the election gun ban.  FPL (FREEMAN)