CEBU, Philippines - Capitol security officer Loy Anthony Madrigal has denied issuing the guns allegedly seized from the suspects in an operation of the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Medellin town, which killed one of the men involved.
“Di mi mang-issue og armas bisa’g kinsa uy. Strikto pag-issue, ang governor pud mopirma (We don’t issue firearms easily and to just anyone. The process is strict and the governor also approves the issuance),†Madrigal said.
Madrigal also said all Capitol-issued firearms were all accounted for and that he is willing to have everything inventoried.
Madrigal’s issued the statement after Medellin Mayor Ricky Ramirez, on his Facebook account, alleged that the PIB did not reveal some information about the raid last Saturday purportedly to hide the supposed fact that the gun used by one of the suspects was issued by Capitol.
“Taas man unta kog respeto sa PIB nga under the provincial director of the PNP pero klaroha sa whitewash ila gibuhat karon with regards to the gun gidaladala ni Jesan Bolutano who was apprehended here in Medellin together with the slaying of Ali Ariesgado a known gun for hire. But I can only sympathize with them because they had no other recourse but to cover this up kay the gun was a Capitol issued gun that was given by Loy Madrigal and the papers covering it was signed by Gov. Davide,†read Ramirez’ Facebook status he posted yesterday.
Bolutano’s name did not surface in any media report, but according to a report of the Medellin Police, Bolutano, 35, was the fourth suspect arrested by the PIB last January 11.
The report, however, did not state if he was in possession of a firearm at that time.
The police had said they have confiscated a number of guns from the crime scene, all of which were turned over to the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGSS).
Madrigal alleged that Ramirez has had an axe to grind against him after his group’s close monitoring to Medellin’s seawaters because of illegal fishing.
“Iyang lugar angay’ng limpyohan because of illegal fishing. Mas maayo mao na iyang tutukan dili iyang Facebook,†he said.
Madrigal said he is willing to be investigated on the allegation.
As for Ramirez’s alleged move to harass him, he said he would seek the help of Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega.
It is “about time mo-take action ko. Sige’g daut, way basehan. He’s going too far (It is about time I take action. My name is being tarnished without basis. He is going too far),†he said.
Hitman?
The man who got killed in the operation was not only a drug pusher but also allegedly a hitman.
Allan Arriesgado has reportedly ended lives before he met his death during the PIB operation.
Marissa Arriesgado, 33, wife of Allan, said her husband was arrested for frustrated murder and homicide in Liloan on 2008, but the cases against him were dismissed and he was released from jail in July 2013. It was reportedly during this time when he started dealing illegal drugs.
Arriesgado’s brothers, Saldy and Jerry, were also tagged in a shooting incident in Barangay Tinubdan, Daanbantayan last month. Murder and homicide charges were filed against them by the Daanbantayan police.
Victims Ricky Lauron, 38, and Harry Neri, 40, sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of the body. They were shot at the cockfighting arena after an argument with one of the alleged suspects.
Then Lauron went inside the cockpit arena but was followed by the assailants and shot several times.
Neri who was just standing near Lauron was also hit.
Marissa told The FREEMAN she was aware that Allan was into illegal drugs but she reportedly could not stop him because her husband would get mad each time she would attempt to do so.
“Sige ko’g kumbinser niya pero di gyud patuo kay og masuko siya iya kong hapakon, lisod pugngan (I have always tried to convince him but he would get mad… it was difficult to stop him),†she said.
She said her husband owned the .38 revolver with five bullets and the .45 pistol with seven bullets were owned by Allan and were just placed inside her bag.
Also found in the bag were two large packets of shabu, money transfer receipts and P700,000 collectibles.
Marissa and Allan turned four months since they got married at the time he was killed.
They have three children.
For his part, Jerry, was regretful of what happened and denied any involvement in the case. Confiscated from him was a .357 Magnum revolver with six bullets and a hand grenade.
The suspect’s cohort who was injured, Vicente Rosos Jr., is still recuperating at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. He is not spared from charges after one large packet and several small packets of shabu, as well as a .45 pistol, were recovered from him.
A .45 pistol with seven bullets and a .22 Black Widow revolver with five bullets were also recovered from them. (FREEMAN)