GUNS-FOR-HIRE NABBED. Jeremy Navarette Pinera and Oliver Virgo, suspected members of a gun-for-hire group, have been arrested during a raid at house in Abra Wednesday morning by police. (PNA photo courtesy of Liza Agoot).
BAGUIO CITY-- Cordillera police nabbed two alleged members of a gun-for-hire group during a raid on a house in Abra, seizing several firearms and ammunition, an official said Thursday.
Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) Regional Director, Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, identified the suspects as Jeremy Navarette Pinera and Oliver Virgo Sotelo.
In a telephone interview, Nana said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel in Cordillera served the search warrant at Pinera's house in Barangay Arab, Pidigan town in Abra on January 9.
The two suspects reportedly belong to the “Jeremy” group which is involved in gun-for-hire activities and gun running activities in Abra, Nana said.
Authorities seized from the two men several firearms and ammunition including a hand grenade, a caliber .22 revolver without serial number, a .38-caliber revolver without serial number, eight live ammunition for caliber .22 revolver, and one improvised caliber 5.56-millimeter pistol.
Nana said the two suspects are now facing charges for illegal possession firearms and explosives raps.
In an earlier interview, Nana said they are closely monitoring the possible resurgence of three private armed groups in Abra province -- one of the areas of concern in the region.
Last week, a shooting incident was reported in Lagayan town between two political groups in Abra which, Nana said, is being investigated.
“PROCOR will continue its operation against gun-for-hire groups until they are all neutralized to bring peace and order in Abra and to the whole Cordillera,” Nana said.
As the January 13 election period draws near, Nana said there will be more checkpoints to be put up to deter the possible commission of crimes in the region. (PNA)
