The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group yesterday filed charges for illegal possession of firearms against a businessman who is reportedly planning to run again as mayor of Moises Padilla,and his son, before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Negros Occidental.

The respondents are Francisco Nazareno, a defeated mayoralty candidate of Moises Padilla in the May 2004 elections, and his son, Jocko.

Nazareno and his son posted bail of P100,000 each immediately after their arrest on Jan. 10 in Brgy. 5, Moises Padilla, allegedly for violation of RA 8294, or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Supt. Khasmir Disomangcop, 601st CIDG provincial officer, belied allegations that the recent raid at the house of Nazareno , that yielded eight guns and hundreds of ammunition, had something to do with politics.

Reports say that Nazareno will try his luck again in the Moises Padilla mayoralty race in this year's synchronized elections, as Mayor Jose Garcia is now on his last term as mayor.

The raid on the house of Nazareno, that was covered by a search warrant issued by Judge Francisco Rodriguez, 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, police said.

Of the eight confiscated firearms, three were unlicensed, three have expired licenses and only two are covered by proper documents, CIDG investigations show.

Nazareno, who denied ownership of the three handguns recovered outside his house, described the raid as "political harassment".*GPB

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