23 local gov’t execs arrested in ops vs loose firearms

MANILA, Philippines — The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced on Monday the arrest of 23 local government officials in a series of operations against organized crime and loose firearms across the country.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde identified Mayor Romeo Vargas of Tubajon, Dinagat Island, and Vice Mayor Antonio Adlao of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, as among those arrested for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Aside from Vargas and Adlao, the CIDG also arrested a member of the sangguniang barangay, nine village chairmen, 10 village councilmen, and a general service officer in operations conducted from March 22 to 28.

During that period, the CIDG seized 137 firearms, 34 explosives and arrested 168 people, including the local officials.

Albayalde said the police would go after law violators, even if they were incumbent public officials.

PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde (foreground) presents to media on Monday, April 1, 2019, the mugshots of local government officials arrested by the CIDG in a series of operations against loose firearms from March 22 to 28. INQUIRER.NET / CATHRINE GONZALES

He said the police conduct operations based on verified intelligence reports.

“We do not care kahit sino pa ‘yun. Whether incumbent or sinasabi nilang kalaban sa politika or hindi, wala sa amin ‘yun. We don’t care kung sino man ‘yun. Basta lumalabag sa batas we will implement the law,” he said.

(We do not care whoever the violator is. Whether he is an incumbent official or someone’s political rival, it’s nothing to us. We do not care whoever he is. If he violates the law, we will implement the law.) /cbb