Surigao del Sur town mayor arrested for possession of guns, explosives, drugs

PHOTO from PRO13

MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur province was arrested after firearms, explosives, and drugs were seized at his residence early on Thursday morning.

In a police report, Lingig town mayor Roberto Luna Jr. was arrested at 3:20 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion through a joint police operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Surigao del Sur, the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, Lingig Municipal Police Station, and the Regional Intelligence Division.

Seized from the suspect was a Colt caliber .45 pistol, a magazine loaded with .9 millimeter-caliber ammunition, magazines of .45-caliber pistol and KG9, rifle grenade, and dried leaves and stalks of marijuana.

PHOTO from PRO13

Police Regional Office 13 chief Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz said operatives also seized P2 million in cash, which is suspected to be used vote-buying as the bills were placed in white envelopes with sample ballots.

Police said Luna, a high-value target, was included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of politicians involved in the illegal drug trade.

The National Police Commission Caraga has also released a resolution withdrawing the mayor’s deputation over the police.

Luna is facing charges of violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act; and violation of RA 9516, police said. /ee