CIDG: 3 men arrested, more guns seized from Henry Teves compound

Police operatives have arrested three people and seized a cache of guns and thousand rounds of ammunition from a compound believed to be owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Saturday.

On Friday, the CIDG began implementing a search warrant for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act at the compound named after Teves.

In the continuing search operation, authorities nabbed three people identified as Nigel Lagunay Electona, chief security of the HDJ, Tolong Compound; Jeson Baillo Timtim, a security guard; and Dionilo Estoconing Mayagma Jr., firetruck driver at Caranoche in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Henry Teves, the above-named subject in the warrant, was not in the area during the operation, the CIDG said.

Seized items from the compound during the "on-going intensive search" include:

• 6 pieces rifles of various caliber;
• 9 pieces pistols of various caliber;
• 9,615 rounds live ammunition of different calibers;
• 207 pieces fired bullets of different calibers;
• 45 pieces of steel and plastic magazines of different calibers;
• Assorted accessories of different caliber of firearms;
• P18 million (bills in different denominations);
• Several Identification and ATM cards and documents; and
• Assorted pieces of other evidence.

"Ang pagsasagawa ng seach ay ginawa sa maayos na paraan at nasaksihan ng mga lokal na opisyal at empleyado ng HDJ Agri-ventures Corp. Gayundin, ang paghahanap ay naitala gamit ang Alternative Recording Device (ARD) bilang pagsunod sa Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras sa Pagpapatupad ng Search Warrant," said CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Romeo M Caramat Jr.

(The execution of the search was done in an orderly manner and was witnessed by local officials and employees of HDJ Agri-ventures Corp. Also, the search was recorded using an Alternative Recording Device (ARD) in compliance with the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Search Warrant.)

The arrested individuals were brought to the CIDG Regional Field Unit 7 for documentation and proper disposition.

Meanwhile, the recovered firearms will be submitted to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) for verification.

Henry Teves is the brother of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been named respondent in a complaint filed in connection with several killings that occurred in the province in 2019.

The search warrant was issued by an Executive Judge in Mandaue City on Thursday. —LBG, GMA Integrated News