POLICE arrested on Sunday two more members of the Pamatong-led “United States Army Freedom Fighters of the East” at a checkpoint in Baloy, Tablon, this city.
They were collared for the same reason six of their fellow Usaffe members were arrested earlier: alleged usurpation of authority.
Cugman police chief Evan Viñas identified the two as Jose Jurado, 51, of Looc, Villanueva town, and Pedro Rabago, 60, of Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan town.
Viñas alleged that Rabago misrepresented himself as a second lieutenant while Jurado also posed as an officer.
He said usurpation of authority charges were being prepared to be filed against the two Usaffe members before the city prosecutor’s office today.
Jurado and Rabago were stopped by officers from the Cugman police at the Tablon checkpoint while they were in a Usaffe vehicle coming from the eastern part of the city at around 1 pm.
Viñas said Jurado and Rabago wore military uniforms in violation of Republic Act 493.
Their arrest brought to eight the number of Usaffe members arrested by the police for unauthorized wearing of military uniforms.
Viñas said the group is headed by lawyer and self-styled politician Ely Pamatong who is based in Barangay Cugman.
The other Usaffe members arrested earlier were Rey Butal, 25, of Claveria town; Felipe Manila, 68; Erlinda Piedad, 66, of Jasaan town; Florencio Mier, 60; Edgar Gumahad, 37, of Purok 13, Baloy; and Mario Hingcayog, 47, of Tagoloan town.
According to the police, Butal misrepresented himself as a lieutenant colonel; Manila and Piedad as colonels; Mier as a second lieutenant; Gumahad and Mario Hingcayog as officers. (nitz arancon)
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