COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Ten retired soldiers, including the father of Senator Ninoy Aquino town Mayor Randy Ecija, were arrested and apparently unlicensed guns seized by Sultan Kudarat police over the weekend.
Aside from Rodolfo Ecija, a retired master sergeant, those arrrested were Rufino Lama, Augusto G. Terosa, Calvin A. Lakandula Jr., Joel P. Gardose, Glenn Z. Brillantes, Richard P. Devaras , Joven Andrada. Romeo Navarez at Reynaldo Dalayon.
Seized from them were 24 high-poweed firearms, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammuition. None of the weapons or ordnance were covered by documents, authorities said.
The former soldiers, who are currently detained at the provincial police office, claimed they were helping guard infrastructure projects from possible attacks by the New People’s Army, which has an active presence in the area.
Only late last month, Mayor Ecija led in welcoming back 22 rebels who surrendered.
