Cavite town vice mayor held for guns

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — The vice mayor of Amadeo, Cavite was arrested yesterday for illegal possession of firearms.

Conrado Viado was tagged as the leader of the Asiong gang, said to be involved in land grabbing, extortion and gun running, among other crimes, in Amadeo and nearby areas, Col. Marlon Santos, Cavite police director, said.

Also arrested were Viado’s alleged cohorts Roberto Gonzaga, Cristobal Catimon, Arnel Atienza, Guillermo Viado, Romeo Ambata Jr., Jarinya Trinidad, Florencio Dimaano and Neil Tibayan.

Santos said raids on the house of the suspects yielded 21 firearms of various calibers, several magazines and ammunition.

He said the police operation dubbed “PAG-GABOT” targets leaders and members of the Asiong gang.

The search warrants were issued by Laguna Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Cynthia Mariano-Ricablanca.

Meanwhile,police said Camarines Sur RTC Branch 56 Judge Jeanetth San Joaquin, 46, and her staff Rocelle Martinez, 34, were wounded in a gun attack in Barangay Puro Batia in Libmanan town at around 2 p.m. yesterday.

Probers said the victims were in their service vehicle on their way to Naga City when they were waylaid.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines condemned the slay attempt as it vowed to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice.