H E A D Q U A R T E R S

8TH INFANTRY DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

8th Civil Military Operations (Dangpanan) Battalion

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan Samar

P R E S S R E L E A S E

October 4, 2010

Contact: LTC NOEL A VESTUIR OS (GSC) PA

Commanding Officer

Tel. No.: (053) 251-2264/251-2199 loc 3333 or 3144

E-mail Add: dpao_8idpa@yahoo.com

Tips from Civilian Populace, Leads the Recovery of high powered firearms

Camp Lukban, Maulong Catbalogan Samar- The troops of Bravo Company, 34th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, under 1Lt. Franchild Dusil while conducting security operations at Brgy Bahay, Sta. Margarita, Samar apprehended one person possessing high powered firearms this morning, October 4, 2010, at 5:30 am.

In a report from Lieutenant Colonel William P Penafiel Jr, Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in San Jose de Buan, Samar, while his troops were conducting security operations in pursuance to the COMELEC/AFP/PNP Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) against illegal possession of firearms, a civilian in the nearby barangays tipped in an information regarding presence of armed men in the area. As troops reacted on the report, they were able to apprehend a certain Emilio E. Casaljay, 31 years old, resident of Brgy. Monbon, Sta. Margarita Samar. Recovered from his possession are one M653 (baby armalite) with serial number 975565, seven magazines and 130 rounds of ammunition. Based on the coordination with the Samar PNP, the subject is an escapee form the provincial jail and has a standing warrant of arrest. Appropriate charges of illegal possession of firearms in connection with the COMELEC gun ban is now being filed against the subject. 1Lt. Dusil conducted dialogue to the populace of Brgy. Bahay, Sta Margarita Samar, expressing his thanks for their timely information leading to the apprehension of the said fugitive.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen. Mario F Chan, Commander of 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army assured the people that the 8ID will continue to assist the PNP to preempt election related violence to happen this coming local election.######