Village chief nabbed for illegal guns

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A village chairman was arrested after several firearms were seized during a raid on his house in Lagayan town, Abra yesterday.

The raid on Leonardo Donato’s house in Barangay Pulot was based on a warrant issued by Judge Renato Pinlac, said Abra police director Senior Superintendent Albertlito Garcia.

Seized from Donato’s house were three M16 Armalites, three caliber .45 pistols, an M14 rifle, a shotgun, a caliber .38 revolver and ammunition.

The raiding team also arrested Donato’s relatives identified as Joy Bersamire, Joven Sindon, Rey Atayde, Boling Donato and Rodolfo Concepcion.

Garcia said the raid was part of “Operation Abra Shield,” which targets private armed groups in the province.