MANILA, Philippines - At least nine people, including two minors, were arrested and six firearms and assorted ammunition were confiscated when police intercepted a truck allegedly owned by a mayoral candidate in Abra Saturday.
The arrest was a result of intensified checkpoint operations by the Cordillera police following last Thursday‘s killing of Mario Acena, a driver of Bangued mayoral bet Ryan Luna.
Initial reports said the truck with license plate RJU 838 is owned by Luna’s brother, Cromwell, who is running for mayor in Tineg town.
While admitting that the truck indeed belongs to her son, Abra Rep. Cecille Luna said only the driver and his helper and the two minors “are from our camp.”
“The rest took a free ride since they are also on their way to the destination of the truck,” she said, adding that the police have all the reason to confiscate the firearms.