The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Bacolod City is currently preparing their response to counter-affidavits filed by embattled police officer, Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Joshua Barile, whose home the agency raided earlier this month, where an array of firearms, grenades, and a sachet of shabu were found.

NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, said they are currently questioning how Barile managed to gather documentation for the seized weapons so quickly.

“We are in the process of verifying the records submitted by Barile,” he noted.

The local NBI chief added, they are planning to ask the court for an extension.

Among the recovered firearms were M-16s, M-14s, and AK-47s, which Barile claimed were turned over to his custody by the court; however, he brought them home instead of the police vault, saying the facility was full.

The police officer also denied ownership of the grenades and the sachet of shabu found in his home.

Barile’s legal counsel, Atty. Erfe Del Castillo, affirmed illegal possession of firearms charges cannot be filed against Barile, as the seized guns are all documented as exhibits in ongoing cases./DGB, WDJ