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Mabini mayor, 2 brothers nabbed for possession of firearms, explosives


Mabini, Batangas Mayor Nilo Villanueva and his two brothers were arrested Saturday morning for possession of firearms and explosives.

According to Jamie Santos' report on 24 Oras, Villanueva was nabbed in his home in Villanueva Compound, Sitio Silangan, Baranagay Sto. Tomas in Mabini, Batangas after police served a search warrant. 

The police report said they recovered a suspected explosive device and a small pouch with a camouflage design in the Mayor’s residence.

Meanwhile, his two brothers, identified as Bayani and Oliver Villanueva, were nabbed in separate operations. 

Police recovered a rifle, a grenade, and ammunition from Oliver’s residence, and a rifle and a fragmentation hand grenade from Bayani’s residence.

According to the report, Bayani Villanueva is the barangay captain of Barangay Sto. Tomas while Oliver Villanueva is a former policeman.

The mayor and his siblings have been brought over to Camp Crame and are facing possible charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

"With the CIDG's (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group)  commitment to support the directive of our CPNP (Chief PNP),  we will continue our campaign against loose firearms to combat crimes and illegal activities," Police Major Geneneral Romeo Caramat Jr. said.

"At ang lahat ng indibidwal na lalabag sa ating batas ay ating pananagutin kahit na sino o ano pa man ang katayuan nito sa ating pamayanan,” he added.

(And all individuals who violate the law will be held responsible no matter who or what their standing is.)

GMA TV Southern Tagalog has reached out to Mayor Villanueva for comment but he has yet to reply as of posting time. 

Details of the search warrant remain unclear, but police said it is part of Oplan Paglalansag Omega of the PNP-CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VAL, GMA Integrated News