Three individuals, including two security aides for Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor, were arrested yesterday morning after police recovered several firearms, along with ammunition, in their possession in the said municipality.

Police identified the arrested suspects, all of whom are local residents, as Alexander Ferrer, a resident of Barangay 8; Niel Ladrido, a resident of Barangay Tinongan; and Florentino Lopio, a resident of Barangay 9.

Cops, meanwhile, did not recover any firearms from a fourth subject, a certain Dominique Kerr Yanson of the town’s Barangay Libas.

Based on information forwarded by the Isabela municipal police chief, Police Captain Roger Pama, the raids were conducted after Judge Mila Yap-Camiso of the La Carlota City Regional Trial Court issued search warrants against Ferrer, Ladrido, Lopio, and Yanson.

The search yielded several .45 caliber and 9mm firearms, along with several rounds of different caliber ammunition.

Malabor, meanwhile, confirmed two of three arrested were his bodyguards, identifying Ferrer as a retired soldier and Lupio as a former barangay kagawad.

He added, the recovered firearms were already in the possession of the Isabela Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, the mayor believes the raids were “politically-motivated.”

Malabor affirmed he will provide legal support for his aides.

The mayor also questioned the timing of the operation.

The three arrested, meanwhile, said they are ready to show the pertinent documents for the recovered firearms to prove they are the legitimate gun owners and not part of any private armed groups./DGB, WDJ