By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel arrested for allegedly moonlighting as bodyguards for a gubernatorial candidate remain detained at the Sibunag Municipal Police Station in Guimaras.
Colonel Rhea Santos, Guimaras police director, said PCG Apprentice Seaman Marwin Parpan, 31, of Dipolog City, and Seaman Second Class Rico Maylan, 27, of Siaton, Negros Oriental, have yet to complete certain documents before they can post bail.
Santos did not specify which documents are required for their release.
A PHP350,000 bail was recommended for each accused.
Parpan and Maylan were charged with violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591) in relation to COMELEC Resolution No. 11067 (COMELEC Gun Ban) after they were found armed during a police entrapment operation in Sibunag town on Feb. 11.
The operation targeted 65-year-old gubernatorial candidate Margarita Cacho, who was accused of swindling by a businessman.
Also arrested was Cacho’s secretary, Cayetano Leal, 48, a resident of Barangay Misi, Lambunao, Iloilo.
Cacho and Leal were charged with estafa on Feb. 12 and immediately posted PHP24,000 bail.
Cacho is reportedly a cousin of First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Cacho Araneta Marcos.
The Masbate-based PCG personnel allegedly served as Cacho’s personal bodyguards without legal authority.
Reports also indicate that other PCG members were involved in acting as Cacho’s bodyguards, but it remains unclear whether Parpan and Maylan were acting under orders from a higher-ranking official.
