The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the leader of a land-grabbing syndicate and his two men in a raid in Rodriguez, Rizal wherein a cache of firearms were also confiscated.
Reportedly, the group of 63-year old Rodelio Caballes is considered as a go-to group if some persons or groups want to grab parcels of land from their owners.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the group of Caballes is engaged in land grabbing, extortion, and threatening communities particularly in Rodriguez, Rizal.
The group’s operations also extend to various areas in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).
“The said armed group is responsible for harassing or threatening private individuals to vacate their properties through the use of unlicensed firearms and explosives,” said Ferro.
Aside from Caballes, also arrested during the raid in Sitoo Bulak, Barangay San Isidro were 29-year old Gideon Mark Exito and 46-year old Ruben Palioc.
Seized from them were three .45 pistols, a .30 Caliber Carbine, a .38 revolver and hree hand grenades.
Ferro said they are now coordinating with the Firearms and Ordnance Office to determine if the guns seized were licensed and if they were used in criminal activities before.
The arrested suspects are now facing cases of violations of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law) and RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives).