Guns, ammo seized in Aklan raid, suspect arrested

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Assorted high-powered firearms and ammunition were seized by the Philippine National Office (PNP) in a house of a barangay tanod in San Ramon, Malinao, Aklan early morning Saturday.

GUNS AND AMMOS RECOVERED.  Personnel of Crime Investigation and Detection Group-Aklan with the assorted guns and ammunition seized in Aklan raid on Saturday morning / PHOTOS BY AKLAN FORUM

The operation resulted in the arrest of 63-year old Carlito Mamburam Dela Cruz for violation of PD 1866 as amended by Republic Act 9284 and further amended by Republic Act 10591 also known as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Police Superintendent Jomil John Trio, deputy Aklan provincial director for operations, said a search warrant was served on the house of Dela Cruz at around 5:30 a.m. in Barangay San Ramon in Malinao, about 15 kms east of Kalibo, Aklan. 

“May mga reports na may naka-imbak na firearms and ammunitions dito at nag-rerepair pa siya ng mga baril. Wala siyang permit to operate,” Trio said.

Dela Cruz was nabbed by elements of Aklan Public Safety Company, also headed by Trio, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Aklan led by Senior Inspector John Paul Tovera, Aklan Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in coordination with Malinao police station led by Police Inspector Mark Ryan Panadero. 

Seized from Dela Cruz’ house were eight 38 revolvers, two caliber 22 revolvers, a 22 magnum super colt, three airgun converted to caliber 22, 12-gauge shotgun with one magazine loaded with four ammunitions. 

Also recovered were 357 revolver without cylinder, port assembly for caliber 22 rifle, a 45 magazine with a bullet, seven ammunitions of 35 caliber, 11 ammunitions of caliber 45 and two rifle butt for unknown caliber. 

Senior Inspector John Paul Tovera, chief of CIDG-Aklan, said the search warrant No. EJ-008-004 was issued by Regional Trial Court presiding judge Marietta Homena-Valencia yesterday.

Tovera said the operation is part of the intensified efforts to recover unlicensed guns in the province. He said they will continue to campaign against loose firearms and to arrest individuals involved in illegal activities.

"Matagal din natin ito under surveillance, mga months na rin. Talagang maraming armas dito ang expected natin na marecover based sa series of surveillance and monitoring ng mga tao," he said. 

In an interview, Dela Cruz said he is ready to face the charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions. 

“Sabton nakun da. May saea man abi ako. Gina-ako ko mat-a ra,” the suspect said.

Dela Cruz, who hails from Bugasongan, Lezo, Aklan, relocated two years ago when his family bought a property in Barangay San Ramon, Malinao.

Aside from his illegal activities, Dela Cruz has a repair shop for motorcycles, welding services for window grills and vulcanizing of tires.

“Gina aywan ru mga baril it mga nagapaka-ayad. Owa man nakun gina ayos. Owa ngani nakun nakilaea ro naghatud karun it mga baril. May baril nga owa man ga-kana (The firearms were left to me by unknown individuals. I did not repair those guns),” Dela Cruz said. 

“May pulis ngani iya nga gapa-gapayad. Nag-balibad ko kanda. (A policeman also asked me to repair his gun, but I did not accept it).”

The suspect is temporarily detained at Kalibo police station lock-up cell pending filing of charges before the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.