CABANATUAN CITY – A village head from Carranglan town was hauled to the provincial police for alleged illegal possession of assorted firearms and several rounds ammunition on Friday.
The suspect, Mauricio Baltazar,52, incumbent chairman of Barangay Gen. Luna, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, yielded one pistolized grenade launcher; one cal. 45 pistol, one cal. 22 revolver as well as magazines and bullets for the said weapons, and for M-16 rifles and .9mm pistol.
Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, Nueva Ecija police director and deputy chief of the Regional Special Operations Task Group, said the house of Baltazar was raided by a composite team on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Richard Paradeza of RTC Branch 32 of Olongapo City for alleged violation of Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Baltazar was placed under custody of NEPPO pending a commitment order from the court.
Meanwhile, a bantay bayan member and his companion farmer were arrested by operatives of the provincial public safety company for transporting a cal. 357 revolver at about 11:45 p.m. in Barangay Triala, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
Supt. Ricardo Villanueva, PPSC commander, said that bantay bayan member Melvin Badua,29, and Edwin Domingo,36, of Barangay Culong, Guimba, Nueva Ecija were on board a single motorcycle when flagged down by operatives.
The duo failed to present corresponding documents for the gun, Villanueva said.
The drive against loose firearms and wanted persons in Nueva Ecija has been placed under the charge of RSOTG after the province was named as one of 15 hot spot provinces in connection with the forthcoming national and local midterm elections.
