Camp Alagar spokesperson Supt. Lemuel Gonda. (GSD File Photo)
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By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

A BARANGAY chairman and four others including an incumbent barangay kagawad were arrested through a joint police operation after serving a search warrant in his residence at Barangay Dominorog, municipality of Talakag, Bukidnon province.

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Police Regional Office-10 spokesperson Supt. Lemuel Gonda identified the suspect as Barangay chairman Joel Valendez, 69 of Barangay Dominorog.

Also arrested were identified as incumbent barangay Kagawad Benino Valendez Jr, 35, and Aldine Jay Valendez, 34, Elmo Gayaha, 38, and Teodoro Origes, 61, all from the same address of Purok 5, barangay Dominorog.

All suspects is now temporarily detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group inside Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Recovered from the possession of Joel Valendez were 3 units of shotgun, one fragmentation grenade, and 40 caliber Glock pistol. Also recovered from his possession were three magazines of caliber 40 Glock pistol, 12 live shotgun cartridges, three holsters of caliber 45 and three bandoliers of M16 Armalite.

From Aldine Jay Valendez were one unit shotgun, one fragmentation grenade and three cellophane of suspected dried marijuana leaves and one shoulder bag black. While other things recovered from Kagawad Benino Valendez were one improvised unit shotgun, one unit Garand rifle, one M203 grenade rifle, 16 live shotgun cartridges and one backpack.

Recovered from Gayaha and Origes were two calibers 45 pistol and assorted ammunition.

Gonda said the search warrant was issued against Valendez after police got valid reports that he was identified by the residents of their own barangay as head of the so-called Valendez Criminal Gang/Armed Group.

He said information disclosed that Joel Valendez is identified as the leader of the Valendez crime group. They were responsible for a gun for hire operation, gun running, and robbery.

Recovered from their possession during the raid were three fragmentation grenade, five shotguns, a grand rifle and assorted short firearms with assorted ammunition hidden inside their residence last Thursday.

Gonda said all the suspects would be facing illegal possession of assorted firearms and ammunition charges before the Malaybalay City Prosecutor’s Office. They would also be facing possession of illegal drugs.

Joel Valendez for his part denied the allegations and claimed that all recovered items were planted by the raiding teams.

Both also denied leading the group called Velendez armed and criminal group.

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