Basilan village chief nabbed over illegal firearms

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A barangay chairman and his companion were arrested after they were allegedly found carrying unlicensed firearms in Lamitan City, Basilan over the weekend.

Idris Abdulla, 33, chairman of Barangay Sangkahan in Albarka town, and his companion, Jaid Amilul, 21, did not resist when police arrested and detained them at the Lamitan City police detention cell.

Initial investigation showed that police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay Malinis pulled over Abdulla and Amilulu’s Toyota Hi-Lux for a routine inspection.

The officers reportedly found in the vehicle an assault rifle and two pistols.

Abdulla and Amilul reportedly failed to present documents for the firearms.