Photo by Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas/LPPO
Photo by Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas/LPPO

Leyte village councilor yields guns, ammo

POLICE arrested a 48-year-old barangay councilor in Alangalang, Leyte by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The suspect, Rhamir Vitanghos, married and councilor of Barangay Divisoria, was arrested on August 13, 2020, by joint operatives of Leyte Provincial Police Office (LPPO), Dagami Municipal Police Station led by Acting Chief of Police Captain Dennis Gatela and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Pedere.

Police tagged Vitanghos as the alleged leader of Betanghos gun syndicate operating in Leyte.

Confiscated from his possession and control were two units caliber .22 long rifle without serial number, two units air gun suspected to be converted, one unit gas propelled shotgun (De Holen), one unit 12-gauge shotgun without serial number, four pieces barrel, two units caliber 22 revolver without serial number, one unit caliber 357 revolver without serial number, two units caliber 38 revolver without serial number, one browning shotgun housing with bolt mechanism, one unit barrel for caliber 45, and one magazine for cal. 45.

Also, seven rounds live ammunition for caliber 45, 14 live ammunition for 7.62 mm, five live ammunition for Garand, 29 live ammunition for 5.56 mm, 18 live ammunition for 9 mm, three live ammunition for caliber 38, 33 live ammunition for caliber 22, six live ammunition for magnum caliber 22, one live ammunition for caliber 50, three pieces steel magazines assembly for carbine, two pieces magazine assembly for Armalite, one piece steel magazine for 9 mm, two pieces plastic butt for M16, two pieces wooden butt, one piece black holster, and assorted gun parts.

The search warrant dated August 12, 2020, was issued by Judge Eligio P. Petilla of Regional Trial Court-Branch 44 in Tacloban City.

Colonel Rodelio Samson, LPPO provincial director, lauded the immediate response by the joint operatives in arresting the suspect who was in possession of illegal firearms.

“I would also like to acknowledge the significant role of the public in maintaining the peace and order in Leyte by providing information relevant to the success of every police operation,” Samson said in a statement.

The arrested suspect together with the confiscated items were brought to CIDG-Provincial Field Unit in Ormoc City for documentation and proper disposition.

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