BAGUIO CITY — A family in Bangued, Abra, claimed police conducted an illegal search of their home, alleging that evidence was planted and proper procedures were ignored.

According to a press release from the Bangued police, the search of two houses in Barangay Dangdangla, Bangued, recently resulted in the recovery of a .45 caliber pistol with ammunition and a hand grenade. Police stated that the operation was conducted between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. with the express consent of the residents.

The Bio family, however, disputed the police report, claiming officers arrived at approximately 3:00 a.m. and forced entry by destroying a bamboo gate and house doors. Mikee Domingo Azusano, the daughter of Michael Bio, who was arrested during the operation, said at least five plainclothes officers held the residents at gunpoint. The residents — including three young children and a 72-year-old woman — were allegedly ordered to lie face down on the floor before being moved outside, while their mobile phones were confiscated.

Azusano reported that a cousin was allowed to witness the initial search, which yielded no contraband. However, she claimed police conducted a second search, during which they reportedly found the pistol among her grandmother’s clothing and a grenade on a cabinet. She questioned the discovery of the items and further alleged that P50,000 in cash and a mobile phone were missing following the police’s departure.

Dangdangla Barangay Captain Ryan Luna also raised concerns regarding the operation. Luna noted a lack of coordination with local officials and said the search warrants were presented only after officers had already entered the premises. He further alleged that two barangay council members were misled into signing the search report despite not being present to witness the actual search.

The affected family members reported that the incident caused significant trauma to the children and the elderly. They have since sought legal assistance from human rights lawyers to pursue formal charges against the officers involved.