- Advertisement -

By NITZ ARANCON,
JOEY NACALABAN

and LITO RULONA
Correspondents .

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday arrested a councilor of Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, for alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

- Advertisement -

Authorities identified the town councilor of Roger Achas.

Achas was arrested past 5 am when CIDG agents raided his house in Zone 1, Upper Sta. Ana in Tagoloan.

The CIDG had expected to seize an M16 Armalite rifle, a Carbine, and a shotgun but found other types of firearms instead.

Chief M/Sgt. Noel Oclarit said police found inside a room in Achas’s house two caliber .45 pistols, a KG9  sub-machine pistol, and bullets.

Police said the raid was based on a search warrant issued by Judge Mirabeaus Undaloc of the 43rd branch of the Regional Trail Court in Gingoog City.

Oclarit said the guns seized during the raid had expired licenses and therefore, considered “loose firearms.”

“Ang insakto nga proseso tulo ka bulan sa dili pa mo-expire ang armas sa gunholder iya na kana nga ipa-renew. Karon  kay  wala man niya ma-renew, ma-consider gihapon ni nga loose firearms,” Oclarit said.

Achas topped the race for the town council in the May elections. Before that, he served as barangay chairman of Sta. Ana.

Achas admitted to owning the seized guns, except for the sub-machine gun, saying these were for self-defense purposes.

He said the sub-machine pistol was merely pawned to him but he declined to name the owner.

Oclarit said the CIDG was preparing to press charges against the councilor.

“Non-bailable ni kay tulo man ka armas ang nakuha sa iyang possession,” Oclarit said.

Oclarit said the police officers were forced to barge into Achas’s house.

“Mipaila kami but there was no reply. Mao nga gipugos namo among kaugalingon sa pagsulod,” he said.

Later, he said, it was Achas who told them where the guns were being kept.

“Mi-surrender siya human niya nakita ang mga witness nga municipal, barangay officials and media personalities ang nag-uban kanamo,” Oclarit said. 

Achas said he was shocked when armed men barged into his house that he jumped through the window. He said he yielded when the men introduced themselves as CIDG operatives.

“Nakalukso ko paingon sa tangkal sa baboy buka man sa armas ang nag-atubang nako pagmata. Samad akong tuhod pagtugpa sa ubos,” Achas said.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -