Isabela gunrunning, land grabbing leader arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested a 63-year-old farmer and alleged leader of a newly identified gang involved in illegal activities in the province of Isabela.

The regional police identified the alleged gang leader as Vicente Casiw of Barangay Turod in Quezon town, Isabela.

Police Supt. Santiago Pascual III, regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 2, said that an operation hatched by members of the CIDG Regional Field Unit in Isabela, the Quezon Municipal Police Station, and other police units on Saturday implemented the search warrant issued by the 12th Municipal Circuit Trial Court.

The search warrant, dated March 19, 2019, was issued against Casiw for violation of the Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law and RA 9516 or the Illegal Possession of Explosive.

The suspect, police said, is the leader of the Casiw Group which is involved in gunrunning and land grabbing activities in the 5th district of Isabela.  /cbb