Ex-Batangas vice governor nabbed; firearms seized

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MANILA, Philippines — A former vice governor of Batangas province was arrested on Sunday by police on charges of violence against women and illegal possession of firearms.

Ricky Recto was arrested in his residence in Pasig City by police officers serving a “warrant to search, seize and examine computer data.”

Recto is the older brother of Sen. Ralph Recto and former actress Plinky Recto. The three, along with five others, were the children of former Batangas board member and assemblyman Rafael Recto, who died in 2008.

The case stemmed from a complaint of Recto’s former girlfriend for violation of Anti-violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

The warrant was granted by the court on July 1 and implemented by operatives of the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the Eastern Police District on July 3.

During the raid, police officers confiscated Recto’s cellular phone, laptop and desktop computers. Also seized were 11 firearms, of which five were unregistered—a 12-gauge shotgun and four handguns: two 9mm pistols, one .25-caliber pistol and one .40-caliber pistol.

Recto will also be charged with direct assault against an agent or a person in authority after he allegedly injured a police officer with a lit cigarette in the arm. Recto was detained at the ACG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

—DEXTER CABALZA

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