A former mayor of Arayat town, Pampanga was arrested along with an incumbent barangay chair and three others for illegal possession of guns and illegal drugs last February 15.
The five were arrested by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives in Alonzo Subdivision, Barangay Cacutod, Arayat town, of the above-mentioned province
During search warrant operations, the former Arayat mayor identified as Arayat Mayor Luis Espino refused to open his gate and turned-off his compound lights.
The former mayor assaulted the police operatives by firing his firearm, wounding PO2 Robert Ron Fernandez in his right leg and hitting SPO1 Joy Venturillo in his vest.
This prompted an hour firefight between the former mayor and his cohorts later identified as incumbent Barangay Cacutod chair Rosendo Dizon and Cesar Peralta, Romy Mallari and Rosauro Dillera, Jr.
Seized from the suspects were three hand grenades, two rifle grenades, a caliber 5.56, three caliber .45 pistols, .9mm pistol, magazines for different calibers, assorted ammunition, 19 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 50 grams amounting to P450,000 and drug paraphernalia.
The wounded police officer was brought to the Arayat Public Hospital and later transferred to JBL Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Police claimed that Espino is the leader, while Dizon and the three others are members of the “Espino Criminal Gang” allegedly involved in robbery hold-up, contract killing, gun running and illegal drugs trade activities in Pampanga.
Cases of violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act”, RA No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, RA No. 9516 or the “Illegal Possession of Explosives”, two counts of frustrated murder and direct assault were filed against the five suspects.
