SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija – While the Philippine flag flies high in celebration of the country’s 114th year of independence, the one at the municipal hall compound here is at half-mast since June 12 to mourn over the alleged illegal and “abusive” raid conducted supposedly by some 250 police personnel who seized “licensed guns,” of some individuals, including the town mayor.
Mayor Arvin Salonga whose three guns were confiscated by the police’s intelligence group, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Special Action Force from Camp Olivas, Pampanga, said Wednesday that besides having the flag half mast, they also wear black T-shirts at the town hall.
“It is unfortunate that while the Philippine flag waves proudly on Independence Day, it’s at half-mast here,” he said.”But how can we claim freedom with what happened here?”
Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines provides that flying half-mast symbolizes mourning.
Salonga condemned the raid saying it created fear among his constituents when the heavily armed lawmen swamped his village in search of an AK-47 assault rifle, based on supposed court-issued warrant, which turned out to be none.
“I have no registered gun of this kind and they found no AK 47 from my house,” he said.
The regional police office reported the confiscation of seven long firearms, eight short firearms and several rounds of ammunition for different calibers from the eight houses it raided that day.
Searched, besides Salonga’s house in Barangay Poblacio, were the residences of Roberto Carpio, chairman of Barangay Luyos; Elpidio Sicat, Sto. Cristo; Joseph Guinto, Poblacion; Saturnino Miranda, chariman of Sta. Cruz; Hero Henson Garcia, Panabingan and Roy Juliano, chairman of Sta. Barbara.
The mayor, however, said that only three of the firearms belonged to him with another two that were registered under the municipal government being used by security personnel.
He said that operatives were told by his counsel that such firearms were licensed but police allegedly insisted saying “they just followed order from higher ups.”
He believed the operation was politically motivated.
“The election is still far, let’s first work,” Salonga who is in his second term said. He succeeded his late father Jose Salonga who served the town for three consecutive terms.
