3 suspects arrested by PRO8 for illegal possession of firearms

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
September 4, 2012

CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  At least three persons were arrested by the police in a series of operations in the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the region, the Police Regional Office 8 top official reported today.

“The implementation of law on unlicensed firearms remains as one of our priority in our anti-crime drive.”, PRO8 Regional Director PCSupt Elmer Ragadio Soria disclosed as he commended his men for the said arrests.

He added that the recent police campaign succeeded due to active participation of concerned citizens who tipped off police authorities on such illegal activity, further noting that two of the recent operations were implemented through applications of search warrants.

Soria said a raiding team seized a caliber .38 “paltik” revolver and five pieces live ammunition from the house of Aniceto M Salentes, 46 years old, married, fisherman in Brgy. Uson, Caibiran, Biliran.

The police official said the raid was conducted past 6:00 in the morning of September 1 by elements of Caibiran Municipal Police Station led by its chief, PSInsp Restituto Reglos.

The raid was based on a warrant issued by Hon Constantino F Esber, presiding Judge of RTC Branch 37, Caibiran-Naval, Biliran dated August 30, 2012.

Soria said that the suspect was arrested during the search witnessed by Brgy. Chairwoman Violeta Torlao, Brgy Kagawad Robin Mondido and Felix Dalompon.

The Regional Director said a check with the Firearms and Explosive Division in Camp Crame, Quezon City showed the firearm have no license.

He said Salentes has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Naval, Biliran docketed under NPS No. VIII-14-INQ-2012-0027.

Meanwhile, at around 6:30 AM of August 30, 2012, joint elements of CIDG and elements of Liloan Police Station led by PSInsp Alex Prisno implemented the Search Warrant Number R-003-S-2012 issued by Hon Rolando Gonzales of RTC Br 39, Sogod, Southern Leyte dated August 30, 2012 at the house of a certain Rowie Baay, 37 years old, married, jobless located at Brgy. San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte.

The search resulted to the arrest of the suspect and the seizure of the following: one (1) unit caliber .357 revolver “Paltik”, three (3) pieces fired cartridge for caliber .357, one (1) black holster for short firearms and one (1) bullet holder.

The search was conducted in the presence of Brgy. Kagawad Diana Adona and Eleazar Perro while the suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the police station for proper disposition.

Relatedly, at around 2:30 AM of September 2, at the front row of a videoke bar located at the corner of Orquin Street and Magsaysay Boulevard in Calbayog City, elements of Samar Provincial Public Safety Company (SPPSC) led by PInsp Silvano Soteraña arrested one Mark Magbutay, 32, married and a resident of Purok 7, Brgy Hamorawon, Calbayog City, Samar for carrying one (1) unit caliber .357 revolver without serial number loaded with four live ammunition. Suspect and the confiscated items were turned over to Calbayog City Police Station and Magbutay was subsequently charged with violation of PD 1866 as amended by Republic Act 8294 at Calbayog City Prosecutor’s Office docketed under NPS No. VIII-10-INV-121-00055.

Soria further informed that for the month of August 2012, thirteen persons were arrested by PRO8 for violations of the law on illegal possession of firearms, resulting in the confiscation of 29 loose firearms of different caliber, 5 were classified as high-powered while the rest are low-powered firearms.