The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) simultaneously raided three residences of Tagalog-speaking Sigue brothers who have relocated to the province to operate cockpit arenas here past 3:30pm last Monday.

NBI (Bohol) Executive Officer, lawyer Reynan Oliva identified the Sigue brothers as Fernando alias “Dekong,” 51,  Ryan alias “Uleng,”37 and Renee alias “Shio” 37.

The NBI and the 47th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army composed three separate teams which swooped down at the three Sigue residence during the simultaneous raid.

Fernando who is the eldest was inside his residence near the Dauis Cockpit and Sports Center in Purok 3, barangay Totolan, Dauis town when the team barged in his house situated right beside their modern cockpit arena.

RTC Executive Judge Leo Moises Lison issued the search warrant last Aug. 26 for their three residences in search for firearms.

The NBI said the search specified on firearms and not drugs since per surveillance, the NBI was convinced that the Sigue brothers have several firearms in their possession. The surveillance team could not find possible possession of illegal drugs inside the Sigue residences. However, the NBI officer admitted a formal complaint was filed at the local NBI office which alleged of Sigue’s involvement in drugs.

Seized inside Fernando’s residence were Caliber 22 Snifer rifle, Magnum 22 Black Widow, 9mm Beretta model, Caliber 45 STI executive, P22 Walther and live ammunition.

Arrested together with Fernando were Alvin Paradini, 27 and Lordan Catindig, 40.

The trio who are now locked at the NBI jail were charged yesterday on illegal possession of firearms.

NBI said the two other brothers were not found in their respective residences during last Monday’s simultaneous raid.

Only the live-in partner of Renee identified as Vernalyn Balingit, 26, was inside their residence in barangay San Isidro, this city when the team served the search warrant. During the search inside the house, the team saw P1 million cash hidden in the bed of Renee. But, there were no firearms nor drugs.

Ryan, whom NBI officer Oliva confirmed to be the subject of a complaint on illegal drugs drugs had his condominium unit at Ocean View in barangay Songculan Dauis searched even as the unit’s main door was closed since the subject has not been seen in the gated seaside subdivision for months already.  Management of the subdivision helped the team access to Ryan’s unit through a window opening at the second floor. The NBI/PA search yielded no firearms inside the condo unit.

The NBI told The Chronicle yesterday that per intelligence report Ryan must have left the province while Renee was spotted in one of the towns the day prior the raid.

Atty, Oliva during a radio interview over dyRD last Monday appealed to the two Sigue brothers to surrender to authorities especially amidst the intensified campaign against lawless element most especially those involved in drugs.  (with reports from Rey Tutas)