By CESAR JOLITO III

A Negrense businessman and four of his bodyguards were arrested by authorities in Iloilo’s Carles town, following an incident at a hotel on Sicogon Island that allegedly involved the illegal detention of employees and the use of firearms.

Police identified the businessman as Alfredo Luis “Dave” Sarrosa, who was taken into police custody together with his four security escorts after authorities responded to the incident at Huni Hotel, a property owned by his family.

Sarrosa was brought to the Carles police station for investigation, Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, said.

The arrest came after a video circulated on social media showing Sarrosa carrying a rifle while uttering threatening remarks against his siblings, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), and several local officials.

Tuaño said he immediately ordered a verification of Sarrosa’s records after seeing the video and discovered that the licenses for the firearms in his possession had already expired.

Police are now preparing multiple criminal charges against Sarrosa, including illegal possession of firearms, serious illegal detention, attempted murder, robbery, destruction of property, trespassing, indiscriminate firing, alarm and scandal, grave threats, and malicious mischief.

Authorities said he could face at least 10 criminal cases.

The incident is reportedly linked to Sarrosa’s long-standing dispute with ALI, which he claims failed to fulfill commitments under a joint venture agreement entered into more than 16 years ago.

Authorities are continuing their investigation while the suspects remain under police custody./CCJ, WDJ