Pangasinan local officials fall in gun raid

MANILA, Philippines - A municipal councilor and a barangay councilman in Pangasinan were arrested by policemen on Monday for possession of loose firearms.

 

Elements of the Regional Special Operations Task Group of the Police Regional Office 3 arrested Natividad town councilor Lito Rimorin and Barangay Kagawad Rodolfo Bilog in separate raids at their residences in Barangay Canarem and Barangay San Eugenio, respectively.

 

Police seized from Rimorin's house one Armscor 38 caliber revolver, assorted ammunition for carbine and shotgun and two live ammunition for a .38 revolver.

 

Seized from Bilog's house were one Colt Defender .45 caliber pistol, three magazines for caliber 45, one long magazine for M16 rifle and assorted ammunition for a .45 pistol.

 

Charges of illegal possession of firearms are being prepared against the suspects.

 

The raids conducted by the police team were part of the Philippine National Police's nationwide campaign against loose firearms, which was intensified to lessen the incidences of violence during the elections this coming May.