Abra's most wanted gun-for-hire nabbed

La Trinidad, Benguet - Abra’s most wanted gun-for-hire boss finally fell to authorities, the Cordillera police said.

Intelligence agents cornered Prudencio Britanico Jr., 41, alleged ring leader of the Britanico private armed group responsible in various “paid hits” in Abra and elsewhere, said Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, and his henchman were trapped in a “tracker operation” in Barangay Santolan, Pasig City Sunday afternoon.

Britanico  from Barangay Quilliat, Langiden, Abra had  in hiding and was wanted for two counts of murder in 2001  and 2011 and a frustrated murder early this year.

Britanico’s henchman --Robert Villastiqui, alias “Ubeng,” – from sitio Soquib, Lubong, Bangued, Abra’s capital town,  who is facing six counts of attempted homicide, one rape, one homicide and two cases of illegal possession of firearms was with him when cornered.

An Ingram 9mm sub-machine pistol  “Shooters X9 Para” and five assorted vehicle plate numbers were seized from the duo, Magalong said.

Two months ago,  policemen seized two M16 Colt rifles, two short magazines  and 28 rounds of live ammunition for M16 at the house of Britanico in Langiden.

Meanwhile,  four different kinds of high powered firearms were turned in by 
Bulanao Centro, Tabuk City, Kalinga Punong Barangay Virgilio Gunnawa in simple ceremonies at the Kalinga Provincial Police Office (KPPO) conference room over the weekend.

Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac and Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban witnessed the surrender of two M-16 rifles, 12 gauge Shotgun, and a Cal .22 AK 47 model by Gunnawa, who was implicated in  a supposed drug lair in Tabuk City several months ago and was once operating the illegal numbers game jueteng in that province.

Such efforts,  Magalong said, are part of the intensified drive against criminality.  - Artemio A. Dumlao