Ex-village chief nabbed in gun raid

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A former village head was arrested following a police gun raid early morning of March 13 in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Police teams swooped on the house of 42-year-old Vilmar Maderable at Barangay Barasalon, Janiuay around 4:10 a.m. on Monday.

Members of Janiuay Municipal Police Station, together with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), 603rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RFMB)-6, and the 1st and 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Companies, conducted the search and seizure operation.

The raid was authorized by Search Warrant No. 23-12 for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court Branch 76 in Janiuay, Iloilo issued the warrant on March 9, 2023.

Recovered during the operation were a 12-gauge homemade shotgun, a caliber .38 revolver, a holster, a magazine pouch, a caliber .9mm magazine, and assorted empty shells.

Captain Alwin Salmon, Janiuay police chief, said they conducted the search on Maderable’s house following reports of indiscriminate firing.

The latest incident was during the village’s fiesta celebration last month.

Salmon said several residents claimed to have heard bursts of gunfire emanating from the former village chief’s house.

But he claimed there are no reports as to the suspect’s involvement with local insurgents.

Salmon added that Maderable has been ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2021.

The case allegedly stemmed from his involvement in illegal gambling.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged for violation of RA 10591.