Isabela ex-mayor in trouble for firing gun

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – A former mayor in northern Isabela province is in hot water for allegedly firing a gun while authorities were serving an order allowing the courts to take possession of his properties Friday. Charged with grave threats, resisting arrest and disobedience is businessman Maximo Dirige, former mayor and also former councilor of Ramon town. Reports show that five properties of Dirige are up for seizure as a result of his alleged failure to settle past due loans from the local branch of Banco de Oro. Armed with a court-issued Writ of Possession, Sheriff Domingo Garcia of the Regional Trial Court’s Branch 36 in neighboring Santiago City, and members of the Ramon police force were reportedly entering Dirige’s compound in Ramon town’s Raniag village when they heard gunshots fired. Police said they were able to disarm Dirige but only after they broke through the compound’s gates which were barricaded with used car tires. Two guns were recovered from the former mayor, who police said was found positive of powder burns. According to Police Senior Inspector Marlon Alejo, Ramon town police chief, the guns recovered from the suspect were licensed but are not registered under the ex-mayor’s name. “The .45 caliber is registered under the name of a certain Danilo Ferrer while the other one, a .9 mm, is licensed to yet another person," Alejo informed GMANews.TV Senior Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director told GMANews.TV that the former mayor is also facing charges of alarm and scandal and illegal possession of firearms. Apparently, Dirige tried to stop the Sheriff and his team from issuing the Writ of Possession since a motion to appeal that was filed by his lawyer has yet to be decided by the courts. It was not clear if the suspect is running for any elected position in the province.—Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV