DAVAO CITY – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a gubernatorial candidate and three others in Barangay Sabang, Sibunag, Guimaras, on Tuesday afternoon, February 11, for alleged involvement in swindling and illegal possession of firearms.
CIDG Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre identified the gubernatorial candidate as Maggie Cacho y Arce, who was apprehended along with Cayetano Leal y Halago for violating Republic Act 10951 (Swindling/Fraudulent Acts).
Additionally, two members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were also arrested: ASN Marwin Parpan y Balanay and SN2 Rico Maylan y Romano.
Cacho is reportedly a cousin of First Lady Lisa Araneta Marcos. Cacho also ran and lost in her bid for Guimaras mayor in the 2022 elections.
The two PCG personnel were apprehended for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in relation to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 11067, which enforces the election gun ban.
The operation was conducted by CIDG-Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) in coordination with the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (OSETC), Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 6, Guimaras Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), and Sibunag Municipal Police Station (MPS).
During the entrapment, a police confidential agent and an arresting officer handed over ₱400,000 in transaction money to the suspects. Following the transaction, authorities arrested the two swindling suspects and two PCG personnel for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Authorities recovered the following items during the operation: ₱400,000 in boodle money, including one marked ₱500 bill, One Armscor .45 caliber pistol (Serial No. 341100) with one magazine loaded with seven live rounds, One 1911 .45 caliber pistol (Serial No. 735528) with one magazine loaded with seven live rounds, Nine 9mm live ammunition rounds, Eight additional .45 caliber live ammunition rounds, Two firearm holsters, Two mobile phones.
The suspects are now under CIDG custody and will be charged accordingly. Authorities continue investigating to determine if the group is part of a larger criminal operation.
The CIDG reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and cracking down on election-related offenses, illegal firearms possession, and fraudulent activities.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
