By: Alexandria San Juan
Ten men who were arrested by the authorities in Camp Aguinaldo last Monday were brought for inquest proceedings at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.
Superintendent Ariel Capocao, Project 4 Police Station (PS-8), said they filed charges against the suspects for violation of R.A.10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms And Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) gun ban, and illegal possession of bladed weapon.
Police identified the arrested suspects as Daniel Pagalan Sr., 51, James Ewayan 40, both from Sarangani Province; Ramil Peralta, 39, Pascual Dizon, 43, both from South Cotabato; Allan Simbajon, 34, Rolando Mahusay, 41, both from Maguindanao; Rhondy Paderes, 36, of Koronadal; Rico Giducos, 47, of Cavite; Dioscoro Danis, 57, of General Santos City; and Boots Galimba, 28, of Sultan Kudarat.
Military Police at Gate 6 of Camp Aguinaldo and responding police officers from Police Station 8 held the men at about 5:45 a.m. on Monday after they were caught bearing firearms without documents in the light of Comelec gun ban.
Pagalan, who claimed to be the leader of the group, said that they belong to the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and that they have an appointment with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to present their advocacies and seek accreditation of their group.
However, verification with the office of the secretary showed that the group had no prior appointment.
Seized from the men were a Parabellum 9mm pistol, a Norinco 9mm loaded, a German Walther PKK 9mm, one .45-caliber Uzi, a STI .45-caliber pistol and two bladed weapons.