CIDG nabs architect for illegal possession of FAs
An architect and former faculty member of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines’ (USTP) College of Architecture was arrested by authorities for illegal possession of firearms and explosives early Tuesday, January 9.
Through a court order, operatives from the Criminal lnvestigation and Detection Group-Cagayan de Oro City (CIDG-CDOC) raided and searched the house of Rey Galua, 43, a resident of Pueblo de Oro Golf Estate, Upper Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Authorities found and seized from the suspect’s bedroom two caliber .45 pistols, a 9mm Glock, a .38 revolver, two fragmentation grenades, two magazines of an Armalite assault rifle, and several live ammunition.
Superintendent Melgar Devaras, CIDGCDOC commanding officer, said they received reports that the suspect is in possession of several unlicensed firearms prompting them to conduct surveillance on the suspect and apply for a search warrant.
The CIDG applied for a search warrant in Gingoog City because they received information that the suspect is connected to influential people and applying for one in the city may compromise the operation.
“We applied for it Gingoog kasi malayo at mas safe (because it is safer),”Devaras said.
He said Galua is also a contractor apart from being a former faculty member of USTP.
Devaras said they initially received the information regarding the suspect’s alleged ownership of unlicensed firearms in the first week of December last year, around the same time the president of the state-run university, Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, was killed by gunmen .
Devaras said Galua has been dabbling in politics and intended to run for mayor of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.
“Normally pag politiko ka may baril ka at baka mahilig din siya sa baril (Politicians usually have guns),”Devaras said.
But Devaras said Galua’s arrest is not linked to the Rotoras murder case and clarified Galua was arrested in connection with his alleged illegal possession of firearms.
“Separate operation ito pero we will submit the firearms into ballistic exam and whatever results kung makakatulong sa investigation ng Rotoras case mas maganda para may solid evidence (This is a separate operation but we will submit the firearms for ballistic exam. But it will be good if the results are helpful in the Rotoras investigation so that we can have solid evidence),”Devaras added.
Devaras said the suspect failed to present documents for the seized firearms. He also did not resist arrest.
The policemen were accompanied by village officials of Lumbia and Canitoan during the operation.
Devaras said the suspect cannot post bail for the possession of explosives.
“Non bailable and explosives and ruling sa possession of firearms kung more than four non bailable siya pero depende nana sa korte,”Devaras said.