Peña denies having goons
-A A +AFriday, February 15, 2013
PULUPANDAN Mayor Magdaleno Peña denied Thursday that he has a private armed group, as alleged by a Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence report.
Peña said that all he has is a security detail which cannot constitute an armed group, because all their firearms are licensed and that they do not bring them outside.
He said they could only be classified as armed groups if they carry loose firearms and are used to carry out criminal acts.
In a recent report, the PNP Regional Office revealed that there are five inactive armed groups in the region, four of which are in Negros while the fifth is in Iloilo.
The PNP also clarified that there are only four, not eight as earlier reported, inactive private armed groups in the province.
Meanwhile, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said that the police and the military have been aware of the existence of such private armies.
"They knew where and what municipal hall and city hall. It is the PNP's and the military's duties to go after them and disband them," Marañon said.
He said that he has been emphasizing to the police to ensure a peaceful, honest and orderly election. (TDE)
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on February 15, 2013.
Local news
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