Town councilor faces illegal gun possession rap

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  — A councilor of Don Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental is facing a possible suspension as charges of illegal possession of firearms was filed against him and seven other suspects Friday.

The suspects allegedly figured in a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Rizal of San Carlos City.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he will suspend Councilor Vicente "Oti" Bacordo once the charges are filed against the latter. "In my administration, nobody is untouchable, whoever is the politician behind him, bad luck for him," the governor told The FREEMAN.

Superintendent Harold Tuzon, San Carlos City Police chief, said that besides Bacordo, the others charged with the same offense were four other members of Bacordo's group and three alleged members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).

Bacordo's companions were identified as Roberto Villena Esconde Jr., Jopil Berbo, Danilo Abedensya and Renato Lacson, and the alleged RPA-ABB members were Paquito Clarion, Diego Bauya and Victoriano Clarion.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental Provincial Police director, said that based on initial investigations, the group of Bacordo reportedly opened fire at the three members of the RPA-ABB who were on board their motorcycle when they passed by the area. A firefight ensued but nobody was reportedly wounded, he said.

Guisihan said two teams of the San Carlos Police responded to the call for assistance and initially arrested the three RPA members and two members of Bacordo's group.

After a while Bacordo, allegedly armed with an Ingram, and his two companions armed with .45 caliber pistols, arrived at the police station. When they could not present documents, covering the firearms, they were arrested by the San Carlos PNP.