Bangued police chief sacked over seized guns

MANILA, Philippines - The police chief of Bangued, the capital town of Abra, was relieved from his post for failing to declare two high-powered firearms seized at a checkpoint last May 15.

Chief Inspector Edward Aquintey is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Regional Investigation and Detective Management of the Cordillera police for his “lapse of judgment” which led to the filing of a lighter offense against the suspect, Jumel Dumalen, 38.

Chief Superintendent Villamor Bumanlag, Cordillera police director, appointed Chief Inspector Julio Lizardo as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bangued police station.

Elements of the 24th Special Action Company of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police were manning a checkpoint along the national road in Barangay Calaba, Bangued town last May 15 when they flagged down a Ford Ranger pick-up bearing a commemorative license plate with the words “Mayor” and “NIC.”

A plain view inspection of the vehicle showed the presence of two high-powered firearms and a magazine, according to policemen manning the checkpoint.

Aquintey was instructed to proceed to the area by Senior Superintendent Joseph Adnol, OIC of the Abra police, to resolve a deadlock after the vehicle’s occupants locked themselves inside.

In his report, Aquintey said incoming Abra Rep. Joy Bernos and her legal counsel, lawyer Liwliwa Sunyata Gonzales Alzate, surrendered to him a magazine loaded with 10 live bullets.

It was not known whether Bernos was aboard the Ford Ranger.

The Bangued police filed illegal possession of ammunition charges against Dumalen, one of the vehicle’s occupants, who was ordered released by Judge Redentor Valera of the Bangued municipal trial court, after posting bail.

However, PO1s Theodore de Guzman and Jerwin Calpito, both of the SAF, submitted counter-affidavits claiming that aside from the magazine, an M-14 Armalite rifle and an M-16 baby Armalite, both found in Dumalen’s vehicle, were surrendered after negotiations.

Bumanlag said the SAF personnel turned over the high-powered firearms to Adnol, who immediately placed them under the custody of the supply section of the Abra police.

When Adnol confronted Aquintey why he did not include the high-powered firearms in the filing of charges against Dumalen, Aquintey reportedly said that he was “confused” and instead decided to turn the Armalite rifles over to the SAF personnel for safekeeping.