PNP starts validating legality of Teves firearms

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started validating the legality of the 15 firearms seized at the sugar mill owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves in Santa Catalina town on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the nine handguns and six rifles taken from the HDJ Agri-ventures Corp. in Barangay Caranoche have been turned over to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) for verification.

Police carried out the raid using a search warrant issued by a court in Mandaue City.

“The search was done in an orderly manner and witnessed by officials and employees of HDJ Agri-ventures Corp.,” Caramat said in Filipino in a statement.

Teves, who was the subject of the search warrant, was not present during the operation. He is a brother of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was implicated in the March 4 murder of provincial governor Roel Degamo.

Caramat asserted the raid was legal and that the police officers followed standard operating procedures such as using recording devices in documenting the operation.

Police also seized P18 million in cash, ATM cards and other documents and up to 9,615 rounds of ammunition for firearms of different calibers, 207 fired bullets, 45 firearm magazines and other accessories.

Arrested during the raid were Nigel Electona, the sugar mill’s chief security officer, security guard Heson Timtim and driver Dionilo Mayagma Jr.

The raid was based on a tip that loose firearms were being kept in Teves’ property.

Assisting the CIDG in the operation were elements of the Special Action Force.