Ajuy shooting suspects nabbed in firearms raid
Two persons were arrested recently in a simultaneous firearms raid at Brgy. Pedada in Ajuy, Iloilo.
Three houses were subjected to the search and seizure operation, but only two yielded firearms, said Regional Intelligence Office 6 director, Supt. Ronald Allan Gepana.
RIO 6 personnel arrested Antonio Barabona and Josue Barabona, who were earlier involved in a shooting incident.
Found in Antonio’s house was a caiber .45 pistol while recovered at Josue’s, were a carbine, super caliber. 38 pistol, and caliber .38 revolver.
Gepana confirmed the two suspects were linked to the killing of Bernie Canja, a native of Calinog, Iloilo, who was gunned down last July 25.
Canja was a civilian agent of RIO 6.
“It’s immaterial whether they were involved in Canja’s death. What’s clear for us is that they were keeping unlicensed guns. Even before Canja was killed, he already informed us about the Barabonas’ firearms,” Gepana said.
According to Ajuy Police Station, Canja might have been killed over a land conflict.
The victim, wanted for a homicide charge then, reportedly worked for the Balayo family who now occupies a disputed 70-hectare land.
While Canja was killed, Jay Barabona, a resident of the place, survived with a gunshot wound on his leg.
Jay also figured in the shooting incident with his brother, Josue, and four John Does.
Canja’s wife already filed charges against the suspects, police said.*
