Guard accused of stealing evidence pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - A former security guard at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, accused of stealing evidence from a local court, found himself in another courtroom yesterday during his arraignment on the unlawful sale of firearms charge filed against him.

Jic Florentino pleaded not guilty to the charge of violating Section 32 of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 90 Judge Reynaldo Daway. The next hearing was set on June 27.

Florentino was arrested on May 30 after selling a .45 caliber Remington Rand pistol marked as evidence to an undercover agent of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Also recovered from him were a holster, also marked as evidence, as well as 50 bullets and two magazines.

The suspect is currently detained at the detention cell of the Anti-Organized Crime Unit of the CIDG in Camp Crame as no bail was recommended by the inquest prosecutor.

Reports said a case of qualified theft will also be filed against him, but court records show that such a case has yet to be filed against him.

Florentino was captured in a sting after nine guns – including the one recovered from him – and a hand grenade were stolen from a cabinet in the chambers of Judge Wilfredo Maynigo of Regional Trial Court Branch 215.

Senior Police Officer 1 Cristituto Zaldarriaga earlier said that an insider may have helped the suspect as there were no signs of forced entry in the judge’s chamber.