BACOLOD City Police in northern Negros Occidental arrested a candidate for councilor in Calatrava town for illegal gun possession early this week.
Police identified the suspect as Alexander Apurado, 55, a barangay kagawad who is also facing murder charges.
He was arrested at Barangay Patun-an and has been denied bail by Judge Estefanio Libutan, said Supt. Joem Malong regional police spokesperson.
Apurado is believed to be the leader of an organized crime group.
Recovered from his possession was a .22-caliber Magnum revolver with four rounds of ammunition.
Malong said Apurados group was also linked by the police to robbery-hold-up incidents and land-grabbing issues in northern Negros and Bacolod City, respectively.