Guns, ammo seized from 4 men

CEBU, Philippines - Four men were arrested and assorted firearms worth P400,000 were seized in a joint operation conducted by the Regional Intelligence Branch-7 and the Regional Special Operation Group against loose firearms in Toledo City.

Operatives were armed with two search warrants for illegal possession of firearms signed by Regional Trial Court Judge Hermes Montero of Branch 59 in Toledo City against Roldan Paragaso Cansancio. However, he was not around and only his accomplices were arrested.

Three of them were identified as Negros Oriental natives Richie Suarez, 33, of San Carlos City; and Lucio Yuson, 23, of Villahermoso; and Cesar Paragoso Sr., 70, of Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City.  They were arrested at the Dubay Beach Resort in Barangay Dumlog owned by Cansancio, around 11:45 p.m. Monday.

Confiscated from them were an M14 rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun, a Thompson submachine gun, a carbine rifle, a Norinco 9mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson .357 cal. revolver and a homemade .38 cal. revolver.

Also found were two long magazines for the Thompson submachine gun, a hand grenade, six M14 rounds, 10 shotgun rounds, four 30.06 cal. rounds, 18 .45 cal. rounds and other assorted ammunition.

Police also found two holsters and a police auxiliary ID bearing the name of Alberto Ducor and a black bag.

RSOG chief Chief Insp. George Ylanan said their operation stemmed from complaints of fisherfolk in the area.

"Nag-guard ni sila (suspects) sa resort carrying high-powered firearms and if somebody would go near to the resort suspects would fire to scare them away," Ylanan said.

Later operatives went to Sitio Anislag, Barangay Canlumampao, also to arrest Cansancio but failed.  They instead arrested Joy Laspuña, 40, of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Police recovered a .45 cal. pistol, two magazines, eight .45 cal. rounds and 40 5.56mm rounds from the suspect.

The four are now detained at the Police Regional Office-7 stockade.  The firearms recovered will be subjected to a cross-matching at the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City to determine if those were used in crimes.

PRO-7 chief of staff Senior Supt. Edward Carranza said Cansancio was responsible for the killing of Rene Embralinag, 42, of Barangay Captain Claudio, Toledo City, last February 22.

Embralinag, a security guard of former senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña, was involved in the recent certification election of a labor union of the Carmen Copper Corp. where Cansancio was a former officer.

Embralinag was onboard his motorcycle when he was tailed by two unidentified men who later shot him dead.

The RID said the men may be part of a private armed group and now checking if the said group is affiliated with any political party.  –(FREEMAN)