Davao del Sur town mayor Jimmy Joyce arrested on gun charges

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—Police arrested a Davao del Sur town mayor and seven of his security aides for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives on Thursday.

Senior Supt. Ronaldo Llanera, Davao del Sur police chief, said Mayor Jimmy Joyce of Jose Abad Santos and seven members of the town’s civil security unit, were arrested during a raid on the local executive’s house at around 2 a.m.

Llanera said several high-powered firearms, such as AK-47s, were seized during the raid, conducted on the strength of a search warrant issued on July 25 by Manila Executive Judge Marino dela Cruz.

Joyce and his men were to be taken to Davao City, where they were to be detained, Llanera said.

Joyce declined to issue any statement on his arrest.