Negros Oriental map. INQUIRER FILES
PNP raids Rep. Teves’ brother’s sugar mill for illegal firearms
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities, armed with search warrants, swooped down on a sugar mill allegedly belonging to former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.
According to PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) launched the search operation at the HDJ Tolong Compound in Barangay Caranoche, whose president is Teves, the brother of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
“Isa nga po doon sa subject ng warrant ay yung HDJ Bayawan Agri-Ventures na kung saan base sa records ang tumatayong presidente ay si Pryde Henry Teves,” Fajardo told the reporters.
(One of the subjects of the warrant is HDJ Bayawan Agri-Ventures, whose current president is Pryde Henry Teves, based on records.)
She further disclosed that an informant tipped off the police about a cache of high-powered firearms within the property’s compound, which led to the execution of search warrants against Teves and the corporation’s directors or officers for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
According to the CIDG, the operation led to the arrest of three HDJ staff members, namely, Nigel Lagunay Electona (chief security), Jeson Baillo Timtim (security guard), and Dionilo Estoconing Mayagma Jr. (fire truck driver). Teves was not in the area during the raid.
Among the confiscated firearms awee six rifles and nine pistols of various calibers; 9,615 rounds of ammunition; 207 spent shells, 45 pieces of steel and plastic magazines and assorted gun accessories.
Other pieces of evidence recovered were P18 million worth of cash, identification cards, ATM cards and documents, among others.
The CIDG said that all arrested individuals were brought to its Regional Field Unit 7 for documentation and proper disposition. It will submit the seized guns to its firearms and explosives office and check its records to see if the suspects have a gun license and if their firearms are registered in its database.
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