Gun-for-hire gang leader arrested

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union, Philippines – The suspected leader of a gun-for-hire group operating in the Ilocos provinces was arrested yesterday by the anti-organized crime team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Santa, Ilocos Sur.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Esguerra, CIDG Region 1 chief, said the suspect, Rodrigo Abiang, whose henchmen are also involved in gunrunning and drug trafficking in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra and Ilocos Norte, is facing charges of frustrated murder, illegal possession of explosives and violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

Seized from Abiang were a grenade, six .45-caliber bullets, and three cubes of suspected hashish. The court recommended P200,000 bail for his temporary liberty.