3 Isabela capitol guards, 6 others face gun raps

TUGUEGARAO CITY , Philippines   â€“ Charges of illegal possession of firearms are being readied against three Isabela provincial guards and six others, who the Cagayan police arrested following an indiscriminate firing incident earlier this week.

Senior Superintendent Gregorio Lim, Cagayan police director, identified the three guards of the Isabela provincial capitol as Gilmar Belleza 29; Vincente Bassig 20; Alvin Chavez, 22. 

Also facing charges for violation of the gun ban, which was lifted only yesterday, are Bobby Antonio, 47; Charles Calamba, 35; Gilmon Beran, 33; Pio Agustin, 46; Oliver Pira, 31; Antonio Paguirigan, 53, all from San Pablo town in Isabela.

Seized from them were two .45-caliber pistols, a 357 Smith and Wesson Magnum revolver, an Armscor 9-mm pistol, an M-16 Armalite rifle, and an Ingram 9-mm submachine gun.

Vice Gov. Rodito Albano, now congressman-elect of Isabela’s first district, denied reports that the suspects were his aides.

He, however, castigated the Cagayan police for being “eager beaver” in arresting the nine men, who, he said, were only responding to an indiscriminate firing incident in his family’s ranch in San Pablo town.

“Instead of going after those responsible for the firing incident inside our ranch, the police went on to arrest the capitol guards who were just responding to the incident,” he said.

Besides, Albano said the Cagayan police went out of their jurisdiction as they arrested the nine men in San Pablo, which is still within Isabela.

San Pablo lies near the Isabela-Cagayan provincial border. Albano said their ranch where the capitol guards were nabbed is still within the municipal border.

“I think some of the seized firearms even belong to the (Isabela) provincial government,” Albano said.