Barangay captain arrested for unlicensed firearms

CEBU, Philippines -   The barangay captain of Cabungahan, Naga City was arrested after a search of his residence dawn yesterday yielded unlicensed firearms.

The search against Federico Cabizares, 64, was conducted by virtue of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Silvestre Maamo.

Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said they applied for the warrant after several of Cabizares’ neighbors complained that the barangay captain allegedly fires his guns indiscriminately.

Seized from Cabizares’ house were a .45 pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, and several ammunitions.

Cabizares, for his part, said politics is most likely behind his arrest. He claimed that he inherited his guns from his parents and that he was able to avail of the government amnesty program last year. He, however, could not produce documents to prove the same.

The firearms licensing division of the PNP also issued a certification that Cabizares did not apply for amnesty.

Buenafe, meanwhile, denied their operation was politically-motivated. He said they conducted surveillance on Cabizares’ for a month before they applied for the warrant. The Commission on Elections has also been notified of yesterday’s operation, he said.

Aside from Cabizares’ residence, the CIDG also searched the house of barangay tanod Joel Mangubat from which they seized an improvised shotgun and ammunition. Mangubat reportedly eluded arrest.

CIDG chief Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael said that their office would continue to monitor unlicensed guns possessed by politicians and ordinary citizens.

Buenafe said it is possible that Cabizares is being used by some politicians for the elections, but admitted no direct evidence could support the same.

Cabizares is a supporter of Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong who is seeking reelection. (FREEMAN NEWS)