On Earth Day, Negros environmental officer nabbed for loose guns

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – During Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 22, an environment officer in Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental, was apprehended for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit-VI swooped down the house of Elmo Amit in Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Pandanon. Amit is the head of the town’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office.

The arresting team, lead by Senior Officer 1 Joshua Barile recovered a .45 caliber pistol and a homemade shotgun, and assorted live ammunition for .45 caliber, .357 revolver, .22 caliber, 12-gauge shotgun, and M16 firearm; magazine for a .45 caliber and M16 firearm; bandolier and a holster.

Mayor Jose Max Ortiz said arrest was politically motivated because Amit had been aggressive in his campaign against illegal logging in Don Salvador Benedicto since he became environmental chief 3 years ago.

Senior Inspector Jesus Mesahon, town police chief, said that the license for Amit’s .45 caliber pistol expired in February.

Amit said the incident was a form of harassment. While the 

He said that the license of the .45 caliber pistol expired on February 24, he was in processing of renewing it.

He is detained at the town’s police station and is facing charges on illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. – Rappler.com