ORMOC CITY – The brother of San Isidro, Leyte Mayor Remedio Veloso is said to have been apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group (CIDG) operatives in the morning of January 19, 2023 in Barangay Paril and Linao in San Isidro, Leyte for illegal possession of firearms.
Arrested were Emmanuel “Wing-wing” Balmoria Veloso, 67 years old, and house caretaker Mark Rio Martinez Castillo, 45 years old, during a raid on two houses owned by a businessman and the brother of a slain municipal administrator of the said town.
The arrested individuals were nabbed by virtue of a search warrant against Veloso for illegal possession of firearms issued by Hon. Judge Carlos Arguelles of the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay City, Leyte.
Recovered from Veloso’s house were one (1) super .38 colt pistol with 7 live ammunitions, one (1) magazine with 10 live ammunitions of the same pistol, and fifteen (15) live shotgun ammunitions.
On the other hand, recovered from Castillo were one (1) .45 caliber pistol with eight (8) live ammunitions, one (1) magazine of the same calibre with eight (8) live ammunitions, and a holster.
According to the police, the said operation stemmed from a complaint from a concerned citizen pertaining to Veloso’s possession of firearms.
Veloso and Castillo are now in the custody of the CIDG and will be charged for violation of RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law. Veloso, accordingly, is also the younger brother of Juanita Veloso, the former municipal administrator of San Isidro, Leyte. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail January 16-22, 2023 issue)