Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano directed Wednesday Pasay City Prosecutor Elmer G. Mitra to explain the action of one of his assistant prosecutors as probe into the complaint of the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the release of Bicol Mayor Avelino Ceriola started.

Arellano said he already directed Mitra to give update as to the progress of the probe regarding the resolution of Assistant Prosecutor Manuel Ortega, allowing Malinao, Albay Mayor Ceriola to be released from the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the leadership of its chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

“I already asked City Prosecutor Mitra to explain regarding the resolution of one of his assistant prosecutors that allowed the mayor to be released. I am closely monitoring the conduct of the probe,” said Arellano in an interview.

The PNP complained the release of the mayor despite clear evidence on charges of using fake gun ban exemption.

Arellano earlier directed Mitra to conduct the probe to look into the complaint as he assured the PNP leadership that the National Prosecution Service still fully supports the campaign against loose fiscals.

Earlier reports said the PNP claimed that Ceriola was ordered released by Assistant Prosecutor Manuel Ortega for further investigation despite clear evidence on charges of violation of election gun ban.

The PNP leadership has reportedly ordered arresting officers in the airport to immediately file appeal and possible administrative charges against Ortega as it expressed dismay over apparent "lack of support of prosecution arm in the drive against political influence over prosecutors and judicial authorities in drive against loose fiscals.

Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said the PNP is just waiting for the formal filing of a criminal case for violation of the Omnibus Election Code on gun ban implementation against Malinao Mayor Avelino Ceriola before the recommendation is readied and filed before the poll body.

Espina said Ceriola is the third candidate whom the PNP asked to be disqualified for gun ban violation.

The first was Masbate Provincial Jail Warden Ricardo Bulanon who is running for mayor in San Pascual, Masbate and former Mayor Ramon Reyes who is eyeing to regain the top elective post in Buenavista, Quezon.

Bulanon and Reyes were arrested in a checkpoint for violation of the election gun ban, with Reyes even accused of coddling a wanted person since one of his escorts turned out to be a suspect in a murder case in Caloocan City.

Chief Supt. Edwin Corvera, chief of the PNP Aviation Security Group, said Ceriola yielded a .45 pistol at the Terminal 2 of NAIA.

“He is a departing passenger of a flight bound to Legazpi City,” said Corvera, adding that the incident occurred at 5 a.m. Monday.