Brgy chief nabbed with firearms, grenade

CEBU, Philippines — An incumbent barangay captain in Boljoon town in southern Cebu was arrested Tuesday morning for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Police identified the suspect as Barangay Baclayan Captain Elderson Han Baldezamo Mabalatan.

Seized from Mabalatan were two caliber .45 pistols; four magazines; 25 rounds of ammunition; and a hand grenade.

Operatives of Boljoon Police Station, led by Captain Amory Piedra Napoles, swooped down on the house of Mabalatan at 6:20 a.m. yesterday to serve a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms issued by Executive Judge Francis Rainer Navarrete of the Regional Trial Court in Argao.

The raid was witnessed by the other barangay elected officials in the area. The barangay official, who is set for reelection in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, reportedly failed to present a license to own and possession firearms as well as registrations of the guns recovered from his possession.

Mabalatan will face charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law. — (FREEMAN)