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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Crusaders’ can’t carry guns sans permit – Alim ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Friday, July 7, 2017
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ILOILO City – Members of Task Force Crusaders caught with guns but without permits have to face the consequences of the violation, according to their lawyer, Councilor Joshua Alim.
“We are not tolerating the carrying firearms without proper documents,” stressed Alim.
Regarding the incident in Sitio Sal-agan, Barangay Poblacion, Jordan, Guimaras on Tuesday, however, Alim said Task Force Crusaders did not conduct a raid.
Task Force Crusaders is a volunteer group acting as a “counterintelligence unit” of the Office of the President and the Office of the Solicitor General.
The 12 task force members that the police detained at the Jordan police station were simply conducting surveillance, said Alim.
But if they were, indeed, caught with unlicensed guns then they have to face charges, said the councilor.
According to Senior Superintendent Julio Gustilo, Guimaras police director, task force members Alfredo Ticar, Loreto Rendon Jr. and Nelwin Teleran face three charges – illegal possession of firearms, trespass to dwelling and usurpation of authority.
The nine others will be charged with illegal gun possession, said Gustilo.
According to Alim, the 12 task force members told him they were simply gathering more information on illegal gambling suspect Ferdinand Ronzales around 6:30 p.m. on July 4 but they did not enter and search Ronzales’ house.
Alim also said the men did not pass themselves off as policemen but identified themselves as task force members.
“Wala man may napalupok sa ila,” said Alim.
According to Gustilo, however, Jordan policemen arrested the 12 for raiding Ronsales’ house without a search warrant and it was a burst of gunfire that prompted village residents to alert the police about the presence of armed men in the area.
At the Jordan police station, said Gustilo, the men presented what they claimed was a mission order from their national commander, retired police general Romeo Maganto.
“They may have a mission order but they’re certainly not authorized to conduct anti-illegal gambling operations. Only law enforcers are authorized to do that,” stressed Gustilo.
The nine others that the police arrested were Ian Paclibar Alta Tierra Village, Jaro, Iloilo City; Rodolfo Andrade of Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Angel Allado Jr. of Deca Homes, Barangay Pandac, Pavia, Iloilo; Larry Agrabio of Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Passi City; Jose Gerald Ausin of Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz, Iloilo City; Refrain Flor of Commission Civil, Jaro, Iloilo City; Juanito Magbanua of Barangay Housing, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Edly Flores of Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City; and Rommel Baniola of Parc Regency, Pavia, Iloilo./PN
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