MikeLigalig.com

By Bohol Chronicle

The agents of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) recently arrested in the municipality of Candijay for violation of the election gun ban posted bail of P12,000 for their temporary liberty.

The Provincial Fiscal's Office has set the preliminary hearing on February 18, with Fiscal Pito Apura handling the complaint filed by the Commission on Elections and the police command.

Charged are Abraham Borinaga, 45, from Las Pinas, Metro Manila; Benjamin Agliam, 24, from Binmaley, Pangasinan; and Danny Dologmanding, 41, a native of San Roque, Iloilo- - who claimed to be marines and agents of PASG.

THE POLICE TEAM, LED BY CANDIJAY POLICE CHIEF ALFREDO KUHAY JR., caught them in the road block conducted on February 3 just when they were about to conduct the Comelec check point, after receiving a report that some armed men on board an ambulance harassed brothers Edwin, 24, and Alberto, 21 Bersaluna who were drinking at a store in Poblacion, Candijay.
         
For harassing the brothers, the police had also filed charges of grave threat against them and four other companions- -George Villalun, 26, from Calitan, Capiz; Rhyan Lopez, 23, from Gumaga, Quezon; Godualdo Dalo, also from Capiz; and Marlon Lomo.

Candijay Police Chief Alfredo Kuhay Jr. has turned over the investigation of the case to the Bohol Provincial Police Office investigation section as confirmed by PO2 Nilo Hinay.

Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora Jr. accused his rival in the mayoraly bid- -Trygive Olaivar, reportedly a PASG official, and his runningmate, Vice-Mayor Ann Piquero-Dy.

The responding police team caught the armed men and four others trying to flee to the national highway, at least 15 meters from the residence of Mayor Amora, on board an ambulance of the Community Awareness and Services for Ecological Concern, Inc. (CASEC,Inc.), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that the vice mayor's husband had organized in the town in January 1989.

The suspects showed PASG IDs and mission order signed by Sec. Antonio Villar Jr. with instructions to proceed to all regions, carry out confidential instructions of the head of PASG from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2010, and that they were authorized to carry a licensed Norinco .45 caliber with serial no. 47836, Arms Score .45 caliber pistols with serial nos. K1163589 and 1138051.

They also presented a certificate of authority from Comelec for the exemption in the gun ban. However, they were in plain clothes when caught bringing along the firearms.

Police Provincial Director Anthony Lao-Obenza is still awaiting confirmation of the suspects' identities and documents with the Manila office of PASG and Comelec.

On their failure to coordinate with local authorities, the suspects claimed their operation was confidential.

PASG Regional Director Rommel Manhilot (real name of actor, Rommel Montano) has not confirmed yet their appointment with PASG and stood by his earlier statement that had not deployed any of his men to operate in the municipality of Candijay, since there was no port in the town.

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