Illegal firearms and bullets seized from Malay auxiliary police

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - A member of the Municipal Auxiliary Police (MAP) of Malay, Aklan was arrested for illegal possession of firearms following an operation by joint members of the Aklan Provincial Intelligence Branch, Malay police station and Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) on Monday morning.

Emerson Taunan, 58, of Barangay Balusbos, Malay, Aklan was placed under arrest by police authorities led by Inspector Christian Burgos for possessing ammunitions and firearms without proper documents.

Barangay Balusbos is the adjacent village of Barangay Poblacion, which is about 15 minutes land trip from Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

Seized at the residence of Taunan, a former militiaman of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU) were the following items: one caliber 38 revolver without serial number, caliber 45 Colt pistol with serial number 192855, caliber 45 Colt pistol with serial number 110970, seven short magazines for caliber 45 pistol, bandoleer and a long magazine for caliber 45 pistol.

Other firearms confiscated were two magazine pouch for caliber 45 pistol, fifty live ammunitions for caliber 45, a live ammunition for caliber 38 revolver, two empty shell cartridge for caliber 38, a slug of caliber 38, one double shoulder holster for caliber 45 pistol and a five-magazine bikini pouch for caliber 45 pistol.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Marietta J. Homena-Valencia of the Regional Trial Court 6 Branch 1 in Kalibo, Aklan on April 19, 2011, the raiding team swooped down into the suspect's residence at around 6 a.m. on Monday.

Police said the raid was witnessed by barangay captain Maude Magliqiuam. Later, Taunan was brought at Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, this town, for investigation while charges are being prepared against him for violation of Republic Act No. 1866 as amended by R.A. 8294 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Acting police director Senior Superintendent Cornelio Defensor, Jr. said the raid on the house of Taunan is part of the campaign of local police against loose firearms.