Mayor nabbed for guns, ammo

MANILA, Philippines - A mayor suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade was arrested yesterday after a raid on his house yielded guns and ammunition.

Police searched the house of Libunga, North Cotabato Mayor Cristopher Cuan based on a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 16 Judge Alandrex Betoya.  

Superintendent Romeo Galgo Jr., Soccsksargen police spokesman, said a .45-caliber pistol, an assault rifle and a shotgun were seized.

Galgo said ammunition for various firearms and assorted gun accessories were also confiscated.

He said operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as well as the Soccsksargen and North Cotabato police conducted the raid after weeks of surveillance. 

Cuan is allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

 “He was detained. He will be prosecuted based on evidence collected at his house,” Galgo said.

Meanwhile, a leader of a transport group filed a complaint for physical injuries and grave threat against Binalbagan, Negros Occidental Mayor Emmanuel Aranda.

Dionesio Nim Encinares Jr., president of the Binalbagan Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, claimed Aranda punched him in the face during a meeting at the municipal hall on Oct. 11.

“The punches...badly hit my right eye and caused pain in my face, including the left side of my lips,” Encinares said in his affidavit.

Aranda denied the allegation, saying he only asked why Encinares called him “stupid” in his post on Facebook.

The mayor said his political opponents could be behind the filing of the complaint.