Mayoral bet’s supporters nabbed for guns

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Five men identified with a candidate for mayor in Isabela were arrested on Tuesday for carrying high-powered firearms.

Isabelo Pastor, 25; Randy Cueva, 23; Jomar de la Cruz 37; Bonnie Candaroma, 39, and Arturo Calderon, 26, were collared in Barangay San Jose Sur in Mallig town, said Chief Inspector Charlemagne Tabije, Mallig  police chief.

The suspects yielded an M16 rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, a .45-caliber pistol as well as assorted ammunition. They said they were supporters of former Mallig vice mayor Jose Calderon.

Police said the seized firearms would be examined to determine if they were used in strafing the houses of the supporters of Calderon’s rival Mallig Mayor Pedro Flores last month.