North Cotabato Mayor Cuan arrested

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Christopher Manigger Cuan, the town mayor of Libungan was arrested and charged Saturday, October 29, after a dawn raid by joint elements of the regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (AIDSOTG) and the drugs agency.

Police Superintendent Maximo Sebastian of the AIDSOTG said the case for illegal possession of firearms was filed in the afternoon at a Midsayap court through inquest proceedings. 
 
Cuam, a.k.a “Amping”, was issued warrants of arrest for violation of Section 6, 11 and 12, Article II of RA 9165 and RA 10591, RA 9516  docketed under SW No. 10-27-726-730-741-745-731-735 and 736-740.

The arrest was a result of the raid which started at 2:22 am of October 29 by virtue of the 20 search warrants issued by Judge Betoya of Kidapawan City in relation to the reported illegal drugs and high-powered firearms inside the two compounds of Cuan situated in barangay Cabaruyan and Poblacion, respectively, in Libungan town.

Sebastian said the “raid was conducted on reports that suspected illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms are stored in his warehouse and in his residence.”

No illegal drugs were found. “Naaresto namin siya kasi walang mga license ang firearms n’ya pero wala na kaming nakitang illegal drugs,” he added. (We arrested him because he does not have a license for his firearms but we did not see illegal drugs.)

Cuan was immediately brought to Police Provincial Headquarters in Amas, North Cotabato as he was placed under the custody of the arresting operatives.

Found in the possession of Cuan were the following: 

• one unit caliber 5.56 rifle, Bushmaster bearing serial no. CC 122375
• one unit . 45 caliber pistol: para ordnance bearing serial no. P129314
• one gauge shotgun, Armscor bearing serial number 804833 loaded with 4 live ammunition and hundreds of assorted live ammunition for various firearms

Elements of the Libungan police were detailed to Bgy Cabaruyan, Libungan, Cotabato, particularly at the residence of Cuan to secure the perimeter of the compound.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also joined the raid. – Rappler.com