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[av_heading heading=’ High-powered guns seized; CIDG links suspect to Prevendido’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – A suspected drug personality linked to the Prevendido group voluntarily surrendered high-powered firearms and ammunitions to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Ednie Jimena of Barangay Dungon B, Jaro district gave up a Bushmaster rifle (serial number GFN 102903), Colt M4A3 carbine rifle (serial number 9231788), M1 Carbine 30 rifle (serial number 1374449), and .22 pistol.
These were all unlicensed, said Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, CIDG Region 6 director.
The suspect also surrendered assorted ammunitions, two rifle telescopes, two sight pointers, and two flash suppressors.
“Surrendering the guns was a good decision. Jimena risked getting arrested for illegal possession of firearms had he not given them up,” said Tayaba.
He described Jimena a “high-value” drug target under the group of his uncle and suspected drug lord Richard Prevendido.
The other day, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 said the Prevendido group had been effectively neutralized eve if Richard remained at large. Deputy Regional Director Levi Ortiz claimed the group’s members were either arrested or charged and on the run.
On July 12, Jimena surrendered a .45 pistol and ammunitions to then Mandurriao district police chief, Chief Inspector Jojo Tabaloc.
CIDG learned of Jimena’s intention to give up the guns and ammunitions from his live-in partner Helen Grace Ordinal yesterday around 6 a.m. Tayaba said he and his men were asked to retrieve the items from the suspect’s house.
Jimena was ranked No. 5 in the Mandurriao police station’s list of suspected drug personalities.
His uncle Richard ranked No. 1 while cousin Bonie Prevendido Gregori (arrest last month in Antique) ranked No. 2.
“Naga i-exist na lang sila (Prevendido drug group) sa pangalan kasi lahat sila (identified members) may pending warrants of arrest at si Bonie nahuli na. Paano pa sila makapagpalawak ng negosyo kapag on the run sila,” said PDEA’s Ortiz.
Ortiz described Bonie him as the “brain and muscle” of the Prevendido group.
He admitted that the group’s figure head Richard was elusive.
“He was constantly moving. We even received reports that he already left Western Visayas,” said Ortiz.
But he expressed confidence that the suspected drug lord will soon be caught.
“Pag hindi sya mag-surrender, baka madisgrasya pa,” Ortiz said. “He can run but he can’t forever hide. Makukuha rin sya. Matiyaga ang mga operatives natin.”/PN
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