Homes of 2 ex-Ampatuan aides yield guns, ammo

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities seized several firearms and ammunition from the houses of two former aides of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan here last Friday.

Judge Isaac Robillo Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 issued the warrant for the search in the houses of Arturo Moreno Sr., 75, and his son Arturo Jr., 40, in Purok 9, Lower Levy, Barangay Bago Gallera.

The raid conducted by the Talomo police and the Police Task Group Against Partisan Armed Groups on the house of the younger Moreno yielded a Glock 9-mm pistol, GNP 976, magazines, 30 bullets, a holster and the butt of an M-16 Armalite rifle.

Two caliber .22 rifles were found in the house of the elder Moreno.

The younger Moreno and his wife Donna were a former liaison officer and executive assistant, respectively, of Ampatuan.

Only the elder Moreno, a businessman who hails from Pikit, North Cotabato, was brought to the police station for investigation, as his son was not around during the raid.