DUMAGUETE CITY – A joint team of operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Negros Oriental, the Philippine National Police’s Provincial Intelligence Bureau-Special Operations Group, and the Bacong Municipal Station seized early Monday morning a cache of firearms and ammunition from the house of the suspect who remains at large.
An initial police report said that the joint team served a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio against subject Roberto Morito Alabastro for violation of Republic Act 10591 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act around 6:30 a.m. Monday at the man’s residence in Barangay Combado, Bacong town.
Bacong police chief Sr. Insp. Elpidio Tagoan, Jr. said the suspect was not around during the search but present were his brother, Alfredo Alabastro, barangay chairman Celsa Ausejo and barangay councilor Noel Montederamos.
The operatives confiscated a black .357 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver with serial number w000529; four live ammunition for .38 caliber revolver, one 12- gauge shotgun (homemade); one magazine for 12-gauge shotgun; three live ammunition for 12-gauge shotgun; one Colt .45 caliber pistol, government model, with serial number 597528; one magazine for .45 caliber, and; seven live ammunition for .45 caliber.
Tagoan said the suspect remains at large although appropriate charges will be filed against him in court.
Acting provincial police director Sr. Supt. Edwin Portento clarified that the service of a search warrant can be done even if the subject is not around.
Portento believes that Alabastro must have sensed the arrival of law enforcers and left before they arrived. (PNA)
