Abra cops seize more guns

BANGUED, Abra -- More firearms were recovered in town and most of these are allegedly from private armed groups (PAG).

Joint personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Public Safety Company of Abra, 24th Special Action Company of the Special Action Force and Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU-14) recovered the firearms and ammunitions when they were hunting down two wanted persons: Prudencio “Onyor” Britanico Jr. and Robert “Obeng” Villastique.

The manhunt was conducted around 5 a.m. of September 13 against Britanico and Villastique, both suspected PAG leaders and members of the Prudencio Britanico Group.

The two have standing warrants of arrest for frustrated murder and attempted homicide issued by Judge Raphiel Alzate of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 and Judge Redentor Valera of the Municipal Trial Court in Bangued.

The suspects eluded the police troops during the operation. However, two M16 rifles (Colt-Armalite), two short magazines, and 28 rounds of live ammunitions for M16 were recovered at the residence of Britanico in Quilat, Langiden, Abra.

The confiscated items are now in the custody of Abra Provincial Police Office for documentation and proper disposition. Manhunt operation of Abra police is ongoing for possible arrest of the suspects who escaped.

Meanwhile, cops seized marijuana in a checkpoint operation in Kapangan, Benguet.

The Kapangan Municipal Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Loyd Oribillo confiscated a brown traveling bag containing 400 grams of dried marijuana leaves with a total value of P10,000.

Three kilograms of marijuana stalks with a total cost of P375,000 were also confiscated during a checkpoint operation in Lomon Paykek at 8:15 a.m. of September 13.

Investigation revealed that an unknown male person handed the bag to the conductor of Balakbak multi-purpose bus. The man told the conductor he will ride on the next bus together with his companion.

The seized items were brought to the town’s police station for documentation and proper disposition. A follow-up investigation is being conducted for the immediate arrest of the suspect. (Rubyloida Bitog)