ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — A former town mayor, a councilor and 13 other suspected guns-for-hire were arrested in Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur yesterday.
Stephen Acosta, former town mayor; Nemecia Pepito, Association of Barangay Captains president and ex-officio Councilor; her siblings Arnel, the alleged leader of the group; Edgar and Rey were among those arrested.
Chief Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, Zamboanga peninsula police deputy director for administration, said the suspects were arrested based on a warrant for attempted murder issued by a local court.
De Ocampo said seven caliber .45 pistols, three M16 rifles, a .38-caliber revolver, three fragmentation grenades and assorted ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
The suspects are under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.