TWO village officials, who are allegedly underlings of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones, were caught in a raid in Asturias Thursday morning.
Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) Chief Joie Yape Jr. identified the suspects as Manguiao Barangay Captain Mario Tundag and Sta. Rita Barangay Councilor Camilo Dacal-dacal.
Police have caught nine public officials in the past six months, including Medellin Councilor Ricardo Ramirez and three San Fernando councilmen.
Tundag and Dacal-dacal, he said, have been listed as high-value targets for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs and extortion activities.
Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) Commander Mario Baquiran said they believe Sabalones is still active in the narcotics business.
However, Atty. Louie Arma, Sabalones’s counsel, said his client has reformed.
Seized from Tundag were a KG9 submachine gun with two long magazines, two short magazines and 24 .9mm bullets. An Ingram pistol, a .9mm pistol magazine, a. 45 pistol bullet and a pack of white crystals believed to be shabu were confiscated from Dacal-dacal.
Operatives found Tundag’s gun inside the ambulance, which he had been used in his private activities.
Tundag claimed that the firearm was given to him by a former Asturias vice mayor in last year’s elections, while Dacal-dacal refused to divulge where he got his firearm.
The operation, which was authorized by a search warrant issued by Talisay City Regional Trial Court Branch 66 Judge Jacinto Fajardo Jr., was carried out by operatives of PIB, PPSC and the Police Regional Office 7.
Baquiran said they received complaints that Tundag often aimed his gun at neighbors when he got drunk.
The two officials, he alleged, extorted from truck drivers passing their barangays.
Baquiran said Tundag may have used the ambulance to carry out illegal activities.
“He possibly thought he was safe when he was using it,” he said.
Baquiran said they are monitoring public officials, who own unlicensed guns and are engaged in the drug trade.