CAMP OLIVAS -- Arayat mayoralty candidate Emmanuel "Bon" Manahan Alejandrino recently surrendered three firearms for safekeeping purposes to Central Luzon Police Director Leon Nilo dela Cruz.
Alejandrino, who is running under the Liberal Party, is the former “Supremo” of the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB) and is a resident of Barangay Cupang. He voluntarily submitted himself and the licensed firearms for safe keeping and custody of the 3rd Regional Public Safety Management Batallion (RPSMB) here.
Third RPSMB Battalion Commander Police Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu personally accepted the high-powered firearms from Alejandrino.
Surrendered for safekeeping were a Caliber .45 Colt with serial number 542CGOV; a magazine Cal 45 with nine rounds of ammunition; an HRPL Cal 5.56 (M-16 Baby armalite) Elisco with one Long Mag Alloy and 27 ammunition of Cal. 5.56 rifle; one US Rifle Cal. 7.62 (M-14) with 37 ammunition and two magazines of M-14.
According to Alejandrino, his political opponent and his constituents accused him of maintaining a private armed group, which he vehemently denied.
He said the allegations were politically motivated.
For his part, Dela Cruz said the good intention of Alejandrino submitting his licensed firearms to authorities indicate his sincerity in complying with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) policies on gun ban, as well as his cooperation with the Philippine National Police on election activities for May 2010.
Aliggayu, meanwhile, said although the firearms were licensed, the gun owners are still prohibited to carry them outside their residence as stated in the Comelec gun ban policy.
Aliggayu added that Alejandrino’s firearms are now under his custody. (Press Release)