PNP probes Garins’ link to communist rebels

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Unconfirmed reports of the Garins’ alleged link to the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have been received by Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 6 long before their widely publicized assault on a policeman happened.

When Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao assumed the post of Western Visayas police chief in June, he also received information about their alleged link to the NPA and to the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade.

“But I did not bother to do the validation because I doubted the information,” Bulalacao said.

Things took a different turn after Iloilo 1st District Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr., together with his father Mayor Oscar Garin Sr. and two civilian aides, allegedly beat up and spat upon Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya Jr. of the Guimbal Police Station early morning of Dec. 26 at the Guimbal town plaza.

As Garin allegedly manhandled the 41-year-old cop, he was quoted to have said, “Ano gusto mo? Ipapatay ta ka sa NPA (What do you want? You want me to have the NPA kill you)?”

Whether such words were spoken out of anger or an empty threat, they apparently sparked speculation on their family’s alleged involvement with the rebel group.

“After what he said during that day, I started receiving reports that they maintain links with the NPAs through their relative from Oton who is a member of the (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,” Bulalacao said, referring to Garin Jr.

Some reports were directly sent to Bulalacao through his hotline numbers.

“There were some details, which I left for members of our intelligence units to check on,” he said.

Bulalacao said the reports mainly indicated that the family, through the older Garin, has maintained the link. 

Asked what will happen if such link proves true, he replied. “Wala pa kaming magagawa ngayon (We still cannot do anything for now).”

Bulalacao also did not discuss if the same investigation will be conducted on other mayors, who, for years, have been reported to maintain close ties with rebel groups.

Last Friday, the Garins, through Vice Gov. Christine Garin, surrendered firearms registered under their name.

Christine, the lawmaker’s sister, was accompanied by another sister, AAMBIS-Owa party-list group Rep. Sharon Garin.

The turnover came after PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the cancelation of all Permits to Carry Firearms outside of Residence and License to Own and Possess Firearms issued by the PNP to the Garins.

The PNP firearms information database indicated that Garin Jr. is the registered owner of 11 firearms, three of which have expired licenses, while the elder Garin is the registered owner of eight firearms, five of which also have expired licenses.

Only nine of the younger Garin’s 11 firearms were turned over – four long firearms and five handguns. The other two are allegedly in Manila – a Colt 5.56 rifle and a BRSA pistol.

Of the 11 firearms, including those not surrendered, three have expired licenses while eight were supposed to expire in 2019.

Meanwhile, five of the elder Garin’s eight firearms have been turned in.

Three short firearms – a Taurus pistol, a Glock pistol and a Colt pistol were declared missing and were booked before the local police – two in September 2017 and one in October 2017.

Some reports have said the elder Garin could have given them to the NPA and just declared them missing.

The female Garin said diligent efforts had been done to locate the firearms that were later declared missing.