Lawmaker denies maintaining private armies

LINGAYEN -- First District Representative Arthur Celeste decries the report by the provincial police that he and his brothers are maintaining a Partisan Armed Group (PAG).

PAG is an organized group composed of two or more persons; the group has firearms either legally issued or illegally possessed; and the activities of the group are meant to sow fear and intimidation for the advancement and protection of their vested economic or political interest, police said.

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Celeste is reacting to the report presented Tuesday by Police Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., Provincial Police Intelligence Branch chief, at the Talakayan sa Kapitolyo.

He said this is just one of the old accusations against them that crops-up every election.

“Every election lagi nalang ganon, pero wala namang silang napapatunayan,” he said adding that this is just a small issue as compared to being accused as drug lords before and other kinds of “lord.”

Celeste is running for mayor in Alaminos City against incumbent Mayor Hernani Braganza.

His older brother, former Bolinao Mayor Jesus Celeste, is running for congressman at the first district, while their younger brother, incumbent Bolinao Mayor Alfonso Celeste is seeking for re-election.

“Ang totoo lang na kasama namin ay ang Lord, yon ang tama dahil palagi kaming nananalo. Masyado na kaming sikat. Matitino ang mga botante sa first district. I’ve been accused worst than that…,” he said.

In a telephone interview, Celeste challenged the provincial police command to do its job and prove whatever information they have at hand.

But Caramat said that based on the list coming from Philippine National Police (PNP) Headquarters, Camp Crame, there are 11 identified PAGs in Ilocos, six are in the province of Pangasinan.

These PAGs in Pangasinan are located in Bolinao and Infanta of the first district; San Manuel, Umingan, Balungao and San Nicolas of the sixth district.

“Kung totoo yan, hulihin nila kami. Araw-araw naman akong lumalabas, i-checkpoint nila kami para makita talaga na wala kaming PAGs. Kung yong mga suporters ko ang sinasabi nilang mga PAGs, it is up to them (police) to prove it. … Kung gusto nila i-raid nila mga bahay namin, at yong mga lugar kung saan kami pumupunta,” Celeste said.

He clarified that the only security detail going with him was during his filing of the certificate of candidacy to the Comelec.

Meanwhile, a Special Task Group is assigned in each identified PAGs area to monitor their movements and activities. These task groups regularly send report to the PNP headquarters, Caramat said.

As to the alleged PAGs of the Celestes, Caramat said no incidents of harassment or illegal activities have been monitored against them.

Caramat said that to date, out of 23 identified members of the six PAGs areas, four were already neutralized through search warrants and checkpoints.