Ilocos bet yields blast materials

MARCOS, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – A mayoral candidate here was arrested after a police raiding team found him in possession of a gun and blasting components and other materials for the manufacture of explosives.

Police said the blasting components and bomb materials were found in the compartment of a barangay-owned vehicle parked in the compound where mayoral bet Fred Arce, chairman of Barangay Fortuna here, resides.

A search in Arce’s home also yielded a 9-mm pistol.

Arce said his possession of the gun and the blasting materials and related paraphernalia was legal by virtue of his being a retired policeman.

Also raided were the houses of barangay councilman Arnel Villanueva who yielded a .38-caliber revolver, and residents Dante Erice and Philip Abaro.