By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent TWO officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and two of their subordinates are facing charges before the ombudsman in connection with the arrest of a former police “asset” (informer) accused of illegal arms and explosive possession. Facing charges of grave misconduct and irregularity in the performance of duty, theft, and planting of evidence are Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum, former CIDG chief for Region 10, Chief Insp. Melgar Devaras, SPO2 Michael Alvares, and PO3 Eileen del Rosario. In a three-page affidavit-complaint, Vivencio Bayotlang of Kolambog, Lapasan, said the CIDG team raided his farmhouse in Purok 5, Barangay Balubal, this city, in the morning of June 27 based on a June 17 search warrant issued by Executive Judge Dennis Alcantar of the Regional Trial Court Branch 18. Bayotlang has claimed to be an agent of the Police Provincial Mobile Group of Misamis Oriental, and a former “asset” of former acting city police director Antonio Montalba. The CIDG allegedly seized from the farmhouse a caliber .45 pistol, a 40mm grenade, a rifle grenade, a handcuff, and assorted ammunition. Bayotlang, in his Aug. 27 affidavit, said the raid and arrest were illegal even as he questioned the CIDG’s evidence, saying these were not stated in the search warrant. “The seizure of items not mentioned in the search warrant applied for and issued for the search of my farmhouse was illegal. The seizure should be only to (the) items particularly described in a valid search warrant. Searching officers are without discretion regarding what articles they shall seize,” readsa part of Bayotlang’s affidavit. Bayotlang said he also filed a complaint for theft because some P40 thousand in cash was allegedly lost by him during the CIDG raid. Bayotlang has been charged with illegal possession of firearms, explosive, and ammunition. The case is pending at the Regional Trial Court Branch 41. He has also asked the court to order a reinvestigation. (nitz arancon)