Talisay cops unearth 80 unregistered guns

CEBU, Philippines — Police recovered 80 firearms buried along the highway of Sitio 5, Barangay Campo 4 Talisay City yesterday morning.

Supt. Marlu Conag, chief of Talisay City police, said that a barangay official called them to inform that children getting firewood saw the firearms.

Initially, at around 10 a.m., police officers only found 40 firearms. But after further search, they found 40 more.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) Director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said that the firearms belong to a certain Jerome Labitad.

He is a known drug personality in the barangay who is also involved in gun-for-hire activities.

Sinas added that Labitad was also a target of the Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations or “One Time, Big Time” last July but evaded arrest.

Labitad is still at large.

Sinas said it is likely that the suspect buried the firearms hastily to get away from cops but these were revealed due to erosion.

Conag said that the firearms will be sent to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for assessment.

He added that the recent discovery proves that personalities that cops are going after in Talisay City will not hesitate to fight.

"Itong pagkahuli natin sa mga firearms na ito proves na talagang totoo na lumalaban ang mga tao dito sa Talisay. Sa dami nito, ang dami pa sana nila magagawang krimen," Conag said in a press interview.

A police officer doing surveillance in Barangay Tabunok last month was shot by a drug personality.

PO1 Jaylord Taping suffered a gunshot and was taken to a hospital. He is now recovering from the wound.

The police then launched an operation against the suspects resulting in the death of three men in Barangay Lawaan Tres.

The Commission on Human Rights will investigate the case but police in the region maintained these are legitimate cases. — MBG (FREEMAN)