Misamis Oriental town mayor’s kin, 8 others, nabbed for firearms

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Criminal and Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) in Misamis Oriental province arrested at least 10 people, including two relatives of the mayor of Claveria town, for violations of the gun ban and illegal possession of firearms during an early morning raid Tuesday.

Among those arrested were Reggan Salvaleon, 36, and Gertrudes Salvaleon, 66, who were both related to Claveria mayor Meraluna Salvaleon-Abrogar; Mario Pagara, 49; and Christopher Pagara, 39; and six others, believed to be members of the Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu), according to the police report.

The report said the CIDG carried out the operation on the strength of two search warrants for violation of Republic Acts 10591 and 9516 at the Salvaleon’s house in Purok 2, Centro, Barangay Malagana, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Seized from the suspects were three loaded caliber .45 pistols, two M14 rifles, four M16 rifles, a KG9 submachine gun, and hundreds of live ammunition.

Police said the younger Salvaleon was allegedly the leader of the Salvaleon Group allegedly involved in land grabbing.

In a radio interview, Salvaleon-Abrogar was quoted as saying that her mother and brother were not the owners of the firearms. She said the high-powered firearms belong to the Cafgus and the pistols were carried by the Pagaras. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)