Raps filed vs Magdalo suspects

Criminal charges were filed against an alleged leader of Magdalo Group and his five companions, who were arrested in a raid in Paco, Manila last Tuesday.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, direct assault upon a person in authority and damage to government property were filed against Leonardo Sen, 30, a reserve captain, before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.

Manila City Assistant Prosector Jose Bautista recommended bail of P80,000 for each firearm and P60,000 for each piece of ammunition seized from Sen, who was found in possession of 11 high-powered firearms, 1,200 bullets for an M-14 rifle and 1,280 rounds for an M-16 rifle inside his condominium unit at LTS Building on 1345 Paz street, Paco, Manila.

Also charged were driver Reynold Llanas, 27, of Cainta, Rizal; businessman Edward Reyes, 29, of Cainta, Rizal, LTS stay-in caretaker Jay de Guzman, 38; Pia Ragonron, 18 and Daniela Santos, 23.

Superintendent Araceli Hofilena, chief of the Station 5, the police unit that first responded to the crime scene, said Bautista ruled the case to be "filed as charged," meaning the prosecutor upheld the charges filed by the WPD.

Chief Inspector Gerry Agunod, WPD spokesperson, said the prosecutor recommended bail for the five companions of Sen but the bond was smaller compared to that of Sen, who is the owner of the condominium unit raided by the police.

Superintendent Edgar Danao, chief of the Western Police District-Intelligence and Investigation Division (WPD-IID), said investigators are now in the process of analyzing the documents and evidence recovered from the suspects.

Danao noted that they are coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to determine how the suspects got hold of the items in boxes bearing "government arsenal" and "Department of National Defense" markings.

"We are trying to establish how these people managed to acquire government property," Agunod said.

Agunod noted the WPD might also subject the suspects to a drug test.

Sources said Sen’s posession of a Magdalo flag and armbands bolstered suspicion that soldiers in the July 27 mutiny at Oakwood in Makati City enjoyed support from civilians.

Despite accusations, only former deputy executive secretary Ramon "Eki" Cardenas has been charged in connection with the mutiny. – Cecille Suerte Felipe