CEBU, Philippines - A Talisay City barangay captain has been arrested following the seizure of a firearm, bullets, and a grenade inside his house during a raid by the Cebu City Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch yesterday morning.
Police Inspector Nazareno Emya, CCPO-PIB chief, said they served Lagtang Barangay Captain Mark Ferdinand Bas, 40, a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court- Branch 25 Judge Jerry Dicdican of Danao City at 8:15 a.m. in Bas’house in Kishanta Subdivision.
The police seized an unlicensed .22 revolver with five bullets, 42 bullets and 12 bullet shells of a .45 pistol, an extended long bullet magazine, and two bullet short magazines of a .45 pistol, 42 bullet shells of a .22 pistol, and a hand grenade.
Bas denied owning the items, saying they belonged to his relatives.
Emya, however, said they monitored Bas for a month for allegedly possessing firearms prior to the application of a search warrant against him.
The raid was coordinated with the Regional Special Operations Group-7, CPPO- Provincial Public Safety Company, and the city's Special Weapons and Tactics team.
Emya said Bas was 4th in Talisay City Police Station’s list of high-value targets was said to be one of the names mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Bas, however, denied that he was into the illegal drugs trade, saying he was active in the anti-drugs campaign and that the raid was "politically motivated." No illegal drugs were found inside his house during the search.
Bas claimed that around 50 drug personalities has surrendered upon his prodding and that he was able to arrest alleged drug lords in their area in coordination with the police.
He said he was confident his name would be cleared.
His father, City Council Arthur Bas, who is also the chairperson of the Peace and Order Council Committee, was shocked to learn of his son's arrest.
He, too, denied allegations that his son is involved in illegal drugs. —/ RHM (FREEMAN)