Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) today allegedly seized several guns and explosives from the house of Arnold Padilla, the businessman who was accused of attacking traffic enforcers a week ago.
Padilla was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Radio station DZBB reported that he was brought to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
UPDATE: Arnold Padilla, inaresto na at nakatakdang dalhin sa Camp Bagong Diwa matapos makuhanan sa kanyang bahay ng mga granada at baril. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/w4vKVNy6ew
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 23, 2018
According to a report by ABS-CBN, a caliber .45, a shotgun and 2 grenades were found at Padilla’s residential property, which is composed of two houses facing each other located at the posh Magallanes Village in Makati.
GMA News reported that Padilla admitted that he owned the guns, but said that the explosives, which were placed inside canisters found in one of the house’s pantry, were planted by the police.
In an interview with DZMM, Metro Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar said Padilla used to own five licensed guns but his permit was revoked after allegedly submitting a fake drug test result.
Eleazar denied that the search was connected with Padilla’s bullying incident, which occurred a week ago. He said that the PNP has been building its case against the businessman based on numerous complaints from his neighbors in Magallanes.
The bullying incident Eleazar was referring to involved Padilla, his partner Glocel Razon, and their bodyguards attacking two traffic enforcers in Makati after their convoy was flagged down for beating a red light.
The Philippine Star reported that Padilla spit and cursed at the enforcers while Razon and their bodyguards took turns beating them up. The enforcers have filed charges of direct assault against Padilla and his wife. But Padilla also filed charges of physical injuries, unjust vexation, coercion, and threats against the enforcers.
A CCTV video captured the melee and has gone viral over the past few days.
Yet even before he the incident went viral, Padilla had already earned a notorious reputation in his community.
GMA News reported that in 2015, a security guard at Magallanes Village complained that Padilla spat at him and threatened him after the former arrived at the latter’s mansion to break up a commotion.
Barangay (village) officials also said that the businessman has been accused by other Magallanes residents for threatening or bullying them.
Padilla, along with his mother Arlene, has also been accused of being the mastermind behind the killing of his own sister Yvonne Padilla Chua. Chua died in 2010 after she opened a gift box containing five hand grenades that was allegedly delivered to her by one of Padilla’s domestic workers.
