By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag
City—Elements of the Laoag City police
seized a cache of firearms and ammunitions from the residence of a Laoag City
government employee during a search warrant operation on May 24.
The government employee is
identified as Engr. Albino Pedro, 58 years old, married and a resident of Brgy.
Calayab in this city.
The operation stemmed from a
search warrant issued by Acting Executive Judge Renato D. Pintac of Regional
Trial Court Branch 57 of San Carlos City in Pangasinan.
One employee at the Laoag
City Hall identified as Engr. Albino Pedro, 58 years old, married and a
resident of Barangay 37 Calayab this city was seized a series of firearms and
ammunitions thru a search warrant issued by Acting Executive Judge Renato D.
Pintac of RTC Branch 57, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.
The police, led by Laoag
police chief P/Supt. Jeffrey T. Gorospe who was also accompanied by elements of
the police provincial office seized 1 M16 Rifle Colt, 1 M16 Rifle Elisco, 1
caliber .45 pistol Springfield Armory with 1 Magazine placed in a black firearms
case, 1 9mm pistol with 4 magazines for caliber 9mm, 7 short magazines, 5 long
magazines both for caliber 5.56 and 5 boxes ammo case containing 492 pieces
live ammunitions for caliber 40.
Another 2 pieces of long and
short magazines for caliber 5.56, 2 box ammo case containing 141 pieces of live
ammunitions for caliber 45, 1 live ammunition for caliber 9mm and 1 barrel for
caliber 45 were also seized.
Five pieces of carton case
containing 55 pieces live ammunitions for caliber .40, 81 pieces live
ammunitions for caliber .45, 2 live ammunitions for 9mm, 7 pieces fired
cartridges for caliber .40 and 50 fired cartridges for 9mm.
Mr. Gorospe said the search
warrant was conducted in a peaceful manner in the presence of Ms. Ruth
Sampayan, Mr. Charito Malicad, Frances Alegre, Connie Pinera, Bobby Pascual,
all Barangay Kagawads and some representatives from the local tri-media.
The suspect was assisted by Laoag
councilor Atty. Donald Nicolas during the conduct of the search warrant.
Engr. Pedro was apprised of
his constitutional rights under the Philippine laws and was brought to the
police station along with the seized items after he was medically examined at
the Laoag City General Hospital for documentation preparatory to the filing of
appropriate charges against him in court.
Of the seized firearms, Mr. Gorospe
said that there were 2 caliber .40 that have licenses while others have expired
licenses.
Police records show that the Engr.
Pedro seizure is now the highest yield of firearms in an operation in Mr.
Gorospe’s two years as police chief.
Meanwhile, Laoag Mayor
Chevylle V. Fariñas said she will rely on the police investigation on her
decision about Engr. Pedro’s current post at the city government.
City Fiscal Atty. Lourdes
Layugan also confirmed that her office already filed the case against Engr. Pedro
for illegal possession of firearms with a recommended bail of P200,000.00.
As this developed, Engr. Pedro
immediately raised his bail bond for his temporary liberty while case is going
on.
The
Ilocos Times learned that Engr. Pedro can
still work at the city hall while his case is on-going.
Earlier, Engr. Pedro was also
involved in an issue where he was accused of arrogance after his son was
apprehended by a Laoag traffic aide for non-wearing of helmet.
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