Ex-Bohol mayor freed after posting bail for firearms raps

TAGBILARAN CITY –– Former Alburquerque Mayor Elpren Charles “Bobec” Tungol was released from detention on Wednesday night after he posted bail over charges of illegal possession of firearm filed against him.

Col. Jonathan Cabal, acting director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, said Elpren was released around 11 p.m. after posting a bail of P120,000 as set by a Bohol court.

Elpren was arrested around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday after police allegedly seized from his possession a .45 caliber pistol, a caliber .45 empty magazine, and 48 pieces of a .45 live ammunition in his house in Barangay East Poblacion in Alburquerque town.

Cabal said two separate search warrants were served for Elpren and his father Efren, who was also a former mayor of the town.

Lt. Yolando Bagotchay, Alburquerque police chief, said Elpren was inside his room sleeping when the search warrant was served.

“There was no resistance (from Elpren),” said Bagotchay.

But an unlicensed M14 caliber was found in Elpren’s possession. His father yielded no unlicensed firearm.

Cabal said Elpren was tagged as the suspect in the killing of Wilfrido Plaza, a barangay councilor and trusted aide of Alburquerque Mayor Don Ritchie Buates.

Elpren denied the allegation.

Elpren became a mayor from 2016 to 2019.

He replaced his father, who became mayor for three terms.

Edited by Lzb