By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The La Carlota City Regional Trial Court-Branch 63 recently issued a warrant of arrest against Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo and her husband, Felix Mathias Segundo Yulo, following their arrest last year at a police checkpoint.

According to court documents dated August 20, 2018 and signed by Judge Cyclamen Jison-Fernandez, the warrant was issued for the alleged violation of RA 9516, an amendment to Presidential Decree No. 1866, which systemized gun laws and imposed stiffer penalties for violators.

A separate arrest warrant in violation of RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, was also issued.

The charge stemmed from two fragmentation grenades recovered from Garcia-Yulo’s vehicle after Moises Padilla municipal police chief, then under Police Chief Inspector Alan Reloj, conducted a search at a police checkpoint.

Aside from the two grenades, police also recovered several firearms and illegal drugs; however, the drugs were later found to be “fake” following an examination by the police provincial crime laboratory.

There is no bail recommended for the explosives-related charge, but bail for illegal possession of firearms was set at P200,000 each.

Earlier this year, acting Provincial Prosecutor Rodrigo Diaz said they found reasonable grounds to charge the couple.

In addition, both parties were charged with direct assault upon a person in authority, which they paid a total of P12,000 in bail after the court earlier issued a separate arrest warrant.

Garcia-Yulo, meanwhile, filed a counter-affidavit following her arrest last year, claiming the allegations are based “purely on highly malicious, erroneous and fabricated accusations.”

She also questioned the legality of the checkpoint and subsequent search, and claimed she was forcibly dragged out of her vehicle and handcuffed./DGB, WDJ