Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group yesterday arrested a mayoralty candidate in the May 2004 synchronized elections, and his son, and confiscated eight guns and hundreds of ammunition during a raid at their residence in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

Arrested and detained at the CIDG lock-up cell were businessman Francisco "Frank" Nazareno and his son, Jocko, for violation of RA 8294, or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Nazareno had lost to incumbent Mayor Jose Garcia in the Moises Padilla mayoralty race in the May 2004 synchronized elections. Armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Francisco Rodriguez, a team of CIDG investigators, assisted by troopers of the 612nd Provincial Mobile Group and town policemen, led by Supt. Khasmir Disomangcop, swooped down on the house of Nazareno at about 6 a.m. yesterday in Brgy. 5, Moises Padilla.

Several hours after their arrest, Nazareno and his son posted a bail of P100,000 each, and were released from the CIDG lock-up cell as ordered by Judge Pepito Gellada.

Disomangcop said the raid was conducted because of persistent reports about the alleged presence of a private armed group whose members are ex-military men, at the compound of Nazareno. John Mark Tamaño, counsel of Nazareno, however, dismissed the claims that his client is maintaining a private armed group as baseless. He dared those making the accusations to substantiate their claims and identify the members of the alleged private armed group.

CIDG investigations showed that the raid yielded three .45 caliber pistols, a 9mm pistol, a 357 magnum revolver, a .22 caliber revolver, a super .38 pistol, 12 gauge shotgun and hundreds of ammunition of various caliber of firearms, including an M-16 assault rifle, three holsters, a gun silencer and assorted gun accessories.

Of the eight confiscated firearms, Disomangcop said three were unlicensed, three have expired licenses, two are covered by proper documents.

Tamano said the five licensed firearms were voluntarily presented to the CIDG raiding team. Nazareno denied ownership of the three handguns recovered outside his house.

Disomangcop claimed that Nazareno may also have possessed high-powered firearms, citing the recovery of 105 live ammunition for M-16 assault rifle. Tamano said his client described the raid at his residence as "political harassment", that may have been instigated by a politician in Moises Padilla he did not identify.

Disomangcop said they are readying charges against them for illegal possession of firearms.*GPB

back to top