By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently recommended five counts of illegal possession of explosives and possession of illegal drugs be filed against Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Joshua Barile, who was the subject of a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) search last year that yielded several high-powered firearms.
Based on a document signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Michael John Humarang and forwarded to members of the media yesterday, authorities cited sufficient grounds to file the said charges against Barile.
However, DOJ dismissed charges of illegal possession of firearms charges as it lacked sufficient evidence.
Barile was arrested last September when operatives from the NBI Central Office raided his residence at the Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, where they recovered several high-powered firearms, three grenades, and almost 10 grams worth of shabu.
Meanwhile, the DOJ resolution also indicated the closed-circuit television camera footage submitted by Barile had been reviewed and they found no irregularities on the part of the NBI during implementation of the search warrant.
With regard to illegal possession of firearms charges, DOJ revealed they see merit in Barile’s defense, where he claimed to have the authority to possess recovered firearms at his residence.
“We have to give weight to the submission of the [Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group] that [Barile], as property custodian and chief of [the] firearms and explosives section of their office, is authorized to store and hold firearms and ammunitions seized in his house,” DOJ stated.
It was also pointed out in the resolution, there were documents submitted in the present case proving the firearms and ammunition were being held on behalf of his police unit. However, DOJ stated the seized firearms were ordered to be turned over and released to the appropriate police office and a report of the action taken on the matter must be submitted within 15 days from receipt of the resolution./DGB, WDJ