• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group yesterday seized assorted firearms and ammunition, following a raid on a compound allegedly owned by former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves in Brgy. Caranoche, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.
PCol. Thomas Valmonte, CIDG Legal Officer, yesterday said that the implementation of a search warrant yielded about 10 guns, including three long firearms, and assorted ammunition for shotgun, M14 rifle, 9mm, .45, and 5.56 caliber guns.
Raided by CIDG was the HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture Corporation Tolong Compound, named under Pryde Henry Teves, with the search warrant issued by an Executive Judge in Mandaue City, Valmonte said.
The raid, he added, also led to the arrest of three suspects, and one of them surrendered a firearm.
However, Pryde Henry, a former mayor of Bayawan City, was not around during the raid.
Pryde Henry is the brother of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, who is linked to the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo.
Maj. Cenon Pancito, spokesperson of the Special Joint Task Force Negros, disclosed that the Philippine Army and PNP Special Action Force provided security to the CIDG operatives.
Valmonte also reported that there was no resistance from the persons inside the sugar mill during the raid.
Millions in cash was also reported to have been recovered from inside the compound.
Valmonte clarified that the raid had nothing to do with Degamo’s killing.
“This is still pursuant to the program of the CIDG Paglalansag Omega. That’s the flagship program of CIDG against illegal possession of firearms and explosives,” he added.
Pryde Henry stepped down as governor of Negros Oriental, after Degamo was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections as the legitimate winner of the gubernatorial race in the May elections last year.
More than a week ago, police had also raided the properties of his brother, Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., where several firearms, ammunition, and explosives were also seized.*
