Raid on Negros dad’s house yields no Gringo

BACOLOD CITY — Acting on information that fugitive former Sen. Gregorio Honasan had taken refuge in the northern Negros Occidental town of Toboso, elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided a councilor’s residence Wednesday afternoon but left empty-handed — again.

Honasan was tagged as one of the alleged brains of the 2003 failed Oakwood mutiny, among other destabilization efforts against the administration of President Arroyo.

The government is offering a P5-million reward for his capture.

Based on the information relayed to the CIDG raiding team led by Senior Inspector Ramon Falalas, Honasan took a ferryboat from Iloilo via Bacolod and proceeded to a "relative" reportedly residing in Toboso.

Armed with an arrest warrant for Honasan issued by Judge Cesar Santamaria of the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 145, the CIDG team swooped down on Ballesteros’ house, but found no sign of the fugitive former senator.

Ballesteros allowed the CIDG men to search through all the bedrooms as well as the living room, kitchen, and storeroom. The team interviewed the helpers and those living on the property.

Ballesteros, along with his brother Marcelino, welcomed the search operation, saying they were thankful that they were able to belie reports that they had been giving Honasan refuge.

He said the last time he met with Honasan was when the former visited Toboso to campaign for senator.

The CIDG earlier raided a farm in Iloilo, but the operation yielded nothing.

It also summoned officials of the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) in Negros Occidental to shed light on their supposed meeting with Hona—san in the past months.

Superintendent Steven Martir, dental officer of the Negros Occidental police, and Chito Magalona, former PGBI-Negros Occidental chapter president, belied reports that they fetched Honasan from this city’s port when he allegedly visited his relatives, close friends and supporters in the province last March.