AUTHORITIES have arrested a former village councilman of Barangay Solana, Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental province, for alleged illegal possession of firearms, early Friday, December 8.
Through a court order, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cagayan de Oro City (CIDG-CDOC), raided the house of suspect Oscar Gamas, 60, of Barangay Upper Solana, Jasaan town.
Operatives seized an M16 armalite, caliber 45 pistol, and several live ammunition.
Senior Police Officer 4 Noel Oclarit, City Executive Senior Police Officer of the CIDG-CDOC, said the CIDG men were armed with search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition (RA 10591) and illegal possession of explosives (RA 9516), but the latter yielded negative result.
Oclarit said the suspect sells and supplies flower from his own farm, but is also allegedly involved in illegal cock fighting.
"Farmer na siya nga ga-supply ug mamaligyaay og bulak gikan sa iyang farm," Oclarit said.
"Ang iyang illegal activities kana ra gyud mag-ulo-ulo sa bulangan," Oclarit added.
Oclarit said the suspect was also a former soldier who got Awol (absence without leave) in 1970's, and has never returned his issued firearms since then.
Authorities have been monitoring the suspect after reports reached the office of the CIDG.
Oclarit also confirmed that the suspect has been using the confiscated firearms during Christmas holidays.
"Daghan report sa amo nga naghawid siya og armas maong nag-conduct mi og surveillance and na-confirm namo. Nakapabuto na siya sa armas kanang pasko," Oclarit said.
The suspect is now detained at the CIDG jail facility and will be charged with illegal possession of firearms on Monday.
