Barangay captain nabbed for gun, grenade possession

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay captain in Bogo City was arrested yesterday for illegal possession of firearm and explosive.

Barangay Malingin Captain Marilyn Magallano Calidgid was caught in possession of a Caliber .45 pistol and an apple-type grenade during a raid.

Elements of the Bogo City Police Station led by Chief Inspector Ceferino Tabay, Jr. swooped down Calidgid’s house yesterday morning based on the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court executive judge Mienrado Paredes for violation of the Republic Act 8294 otherwise known as illegal possession of firearms.

Aside from Calidgid, police operatives also raided the houses of Joel Sumabong, Dennis Malinao, Jerry Menor, Arman Tipon-Tipon, Vincent Ancero, PFC Albert Pepito of the Philippine Army and a certain PJ Bojos.

The other subjects of the raid however were not around during the operation. The police recovered the Caliber .45 pistol, magazine loaded with five live ammunitions and a hand grenade.

Calidgid denied owning the gun and the hand grenade. She accused the police of harassment and planting evidence against her.

“Klaro man gayud kaayo ang ilang gihimo kay samtang nag istorya ko sa hepe, ang iyang mga sakop nagsige man og saka gawas sa among balay, unya dunay laing misulod ug mipahibawo nga duna sila’y nakita nga armas,” Calidgid said.

According to her, she cannot afford to buy the gun and hand grenade saying that her priority is the enrolment of her children.

“Daghan pa kaayo ko og problema sa akong mga bata aron bayad sa pagpa-enroll unya kana nalang gayud ang armas maoy akong unahon,” Calidgid said.

Calidgid, a support of 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, suspect that politics was behind her arrest.

“Nagtinarong gyud ko sa akong pagka opisyal sa barangay kay mao na ang atong gisaad ngadto kanila unya butangbutangan lang ta,” she lamented.

Calidgid’s arrest surprised Salimbangon, who immediately assured the barangay official of legal assistance. (FREEMAN)