Councilor Cries Foul Over Arrest

Barangay councilman James Camara of Carmen town denied that he was in possession of a high-powered firearm during a checkpoint held in Barangay Ipil of the same town last Tuesday.

Camara, 45, said the KG9 machine pistol, with 16 rounds of ammunition, was “planted” allegedly by policemen who made the checkpoint. Last Tuesday afternoon, during a checkpoint in the said area, police found from Camara’s possession the KG9 machine gun while he was on board a multicab with plate YKY 535. He was arrested by police after he failed to show supporting documents for the said weapon.

Meanwhile, Carmen town Police Chief Insp. Alvin Balio, said Camara failed to show a permit for his gun as well as the necessary permit to carry it. Balio said they already received complaints from residents of Ipil against an individual who was allegedly fired a gun in the said area. Balio, however, added that they could not pinpoint if it was the councilman.

Camara is said to own a property in the place where the said gunshots were heard. For his part, Balio said he had no reason to unreasonably implicate Camara in the crime because they did not personally know each other, until at the time of his arrest.