THE former vice government of the province of Batangas, Richard “Ricky” Recto, was arrested after he was caught with several kinds of unlicensed firearms by a combined force of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the Eastern Police District (EPD) in Pasig City.
Ayon kay PNP-ACG Officer-in-Charge PBGen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Recto was arrested by virtue of a warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data when a former girlfriend complained against Recto for violation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
During the police operation, the team confiscated a variety of digital devices, including several unregistered firearms composed of a 12-gauge shotgun, two 9-mm pistol, a caliber .25, and a caliber .40 gun.
A member of the police team, meanwhile, was wounded in the arm after he was attacked by the former vice governor while the confiscated items were being examined.
There was no statement from Recto’s camp yet about the allegations thrown at him.
The suspect is also facing charges of violation of Article 148 or Direct Assault Against an Agent or Person In Authority of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.