Guns in Bilibid raid owned by Guimaras congressman, other officials

MANILA, Philippines – At least 4 firearms seized by government officials during a surprise inspection of the New Bilibid Prison are registered under the name of 4 politicians, 2 of them with affiliations to the Liberal Party (LP).

A total of 5 firearms were seized from the “kubol” of Wu Tuan, better known as “Peter Co” during a surprise visit by led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. (IN PHOTOS: Drug lords, murderers, and high living in Bilibid)

Based on the records of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), the firearms and their corresponding registered owners are as follows:

• .9mm Taurus pistol owned by Vicente Tan Alindada Jr, reportedly a Caloocan city barangay official
• .9mm Browning pistol owned by Avelino Dalimocon Nicanor, reportedly a government employee 
• 5.56 Bushmaster owned by Carlito Balagtas Tiquia, who ran but lost for a post in Valenzuela city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod 
• Walther PP owned by Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava, currently the lone Representative of Guimaras

Both Nava and Tiquia ran under the banner of the ruling LP. The 5th firearm, a Jericho pistol, was found to be an unlicensed weapon.

As of posting, none of the 4 gun owners have spoken to media about the PNP’s findings.

According to the FEO, 3 of the guns – the Taurus, the Browning, and the Bushmaster – had expired licenses. The Walther pistol registered to Nava was registered only in 2011 and expires on November 19, 2015.

The operation, a result of months of work by various government agencies, aimed to rid Bilibid of illegal activities: the use of illegal drugs, smuggling of contraband items, and corruption of jail personnel.

During the raid, officials raided “kubols” or dwellings of some 19 “high profile” or “high risk” inmates where they found air-conditioned rooms, jacuzzis, saunas, illegal drugs, and luxury items, among others. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com