Cop charged for guns

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Senior Police Officer 1 Ethel Suico and three others, including her husband, before the court for illegal possession of firearms after finding probable cause.

Provincial Intelligence Branch deputy chief Senior Inspector Nazarino Emia said Suico, 48, an administrative finance officer of the Dalaguete Police Station; her husband, retired Senior Police Officer 1 Marflo Suico, 58; former Police Officer 2 Niel Cayubit, 46; and Heracleo Suico, 54, chose to answer the accusations filed against them in court.

In an inquest proceeding, the couple was charged for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives, a non-bailable offense.

Cayubit was also charged for violating RA 10591 and Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act while Marflo’s brother, Heracleo, was sued for violating RA 10591, RA 9165, and RA 9287 or illegal gambling.

Operatives of PIB, the Provincial Public Safety Company, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, the Regional Special Operations Group, and the Sibonga police arrested the four last May 24 after securing search warrants.

They seized firearms, explosives, and suspected shabu in the residences of the suspects in Barangay Poblacion, Sibonga town.

Emia said a certain Bennette Teves, who remains at large, was also charged for violation of RA 10591 and RA 9165 after operatives recovered suspected shabu and a .38 cal. pistol from his house.

Before the operation, the operatives received information that the four used to work for drug personality Steve Go, who is currently detained in the Talisay City Jail. Go is allegedly Ethel’s nephew and the half-brother of Teves.

The firearms of Go were also allegedly under the custody of Ethel. She has denied these allegations. (FREEMAN)