9 Isabela guards held for gun ban violations freed on bail

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Nine Isabela provincial guards arrested for allegedly violating the election gun ban have been freed after posting more than P500,000 bail.

Ordered released by Judge Felipe Torio were Pio Agustin, 46; Bobby Antonio, 47; Vicente Bassig, 20; Gilmon Beran, 33; Gilmar Belleza, 29; Charles Calamba, 35; Alvin Chavez, 22; Antonio Paguirigan, 53, and Oliver Pira, 31, all of San Pablo town.

Isabela Vice Gov. now congressman-elect Rodolfo Albano, who reportedly paid the bail bond, said the guards were arrested in his ranch in San Pablo, Isabela and not in Peñablanca, Cagayan.

Albano said the nine guards were responding to a report of indiscriminate firing in the area when they were arrested by elements of the Cagayan police on June 10.

Seized from the group were two .45 caliber pistols, a magnum 357 Smith and Wesson revolver, a  9mm pistol, an M-16 rifle, a submachine gun and several rounds of ammunition.