abra mayor 05-04-24

	NORDIS WEEKLY April 24, 2005
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SAF, CIDG search Abra mayor’s home
LA PAZ, Abra (April 20) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Special Action Forces of the Philippines (SAFP) reportedly seized war materiel consisting of three high powered firearms, rifle and hand grenades and several firearm magazines and ammunitions in La Paz Mayor Ysrael Bernos’ home on April 14. Bernos, however, claimed that the seized war materiel are government property that belongs to the SAF detailed to him for his security and were issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP). At around 6:00 a.m. on the said date, CIDG and SAF policemen searched Bernos’ house, yielding one M16-A1 rifle bearing serial no. RP 161930; one M16-A1 rifle bearing serial no. RP 17517; one M14 rifle bearing serial no. HK 002722; two hand grenades; three rifle grenades; 250 live ammunitions, eight long and seven short magazine assemblies, and 17 spent shells for M16 rifle; 20 ammunitions and one magazine assembly for M14 rifle; one live ammunition and one spent shell for caliber 45 pistol; and one spent shell for caliber 9mm. Bernos’ gardeners and caretakers, Marlo B. Ola, Michael C. Santiago and Rogelio B. Viejo were reportedly present when the Search Warrant No. 137 S2005 was implemented. Cordillera Police Spokesperson Joseph Adno said that the two M16s and the M14 rifle belonged to Bernos’ SAF escorts – Police Officer 1 Rico Cureg, PO1 Arnold Adduno and PO1 Francis Batalla. The three were allegedly with the mayor in Manila during the search. Cordillera police is preparing to charge Bernos with illegal possession of firearms. On the other hand, Bernos said his lawyers are mulling to file charges against the judge who issued the search warrant. He said he could not be convinced that a Vigan City (Ilocos Sur province) judge who has no jurisdiction over Abra could issue warrants against Abra residents. “This is not for me but for future victims,” he insisted. “The Cordillera police statement is even libelous because they already imputed upon me a crime for arms which turned out to be government property,” he ended. # Artemio A. Dumlao for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY April 24, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
SAF, CIDG search Abra mayor’s home
LA PAZ, Abra (April 20) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Special Action Forces of the Philippines (SAFP) reportedly seized war materiel consisting of three high powered firearms, rifle and hand grenades and several firearm magazines and ammunitions in La Paz Mayor Ysrael Bernos’ home on April 14. Bernos, however, claimed that the seized war materiel are government property that belongs to the SAF detailed to him for his security and were issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP). At around 6:00 a.m. on the said date, CIDG and SAF policemen searched Bernos’ house, yielding one M16-A1 rifle bearing serial no. RP 161930; one M16-A1 rifle bearing serial no. RP 17517; one M14 rifle bearing serial no. HK 002722; two hand grenades; three rifle grenades; 250 live ammunitions, eight long and seven short magazine assemblies, and 17 spent shells for M16 rifle; 20 ammunitions and one magazine assembly for M14 rifle; one live ammunition and one spent shell for caliber 45 pistol; and one spent shell for caliber 9mm. Bernos’ gardeners and caretakers, Marlo B. Ola, Michael C. Santiago and Rogelio B. Viejo were reportedly present when the Search Warrant No. 137 S2005 was implemented. Cordillera Police Spokesperson Joseph Adno said that the two M16s and the M14 rifle belonged to Bernos’ SAF escorts – Police Officer 1 Rico Cureg, PO1 Arnold Adduno and PO1 Francis Batalla. The three were allegedly with the mayor in Manila during the search. Cordillera police is preparing to charge Bernos with illegal possession of firearms. On the other hand, Bernos said his lawyers are mulling to file charges against the judge who issued the search warrant. He said he could not be convinced that a Vigan City (Ilocos Sur province) judge who has no jurisdiction over Abra could issue warrants against Abra residents. “This is not for me but for future victims,” he insisted. “The Cordillera police statement is even libelous because they already imputed upon me a crime for arms which turned out to be government property,” he ended. # Artemio A. Dumlao for NORDIS
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