[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Sara house yields unlicensed guns’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
February 1, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
ILOILO City – Policemen raided a house in Barangay Devera, Sara, Iloilo and recovered four unlicensed firearms.
The house owner, Roberto Del Castillo, chairperson of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council of Devera, was taken to the municipal police station.
Del Castillo’s house yielded two 12-gauge shotguns, a .22 rifle and a .45 pistol.
The police also recovered bullets.
Why so many guns at the house? A source said the police should further dig on the background of the suspect for possible gun-for-hire activities and links.
The raid was staged on Tuesday around 6 a.m.
According to Senior Inspector Gilbert Baldevarona, Sara police chief, they sought a search warrant from the court after receiving information about the unlicensed guns.
Del Castillo faces a charge for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“The suspect failed to present gun licenses and the only one he had for the .45 pistol was already expired,” Baldevarona.
Sara is 98 kilometers north of Iloilo City. It is part of Iloilo province’s 5th District which, aside from illegal drugs, also has problem over goons, according to Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional police director.
The 5th District is made up of the municipalities of Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Sara.
According to Binag, the Police Regional Office 6 had received text messages about the illegal drug problem in the district and armed criminal gangs operating in the area.
Section 28 of the Act punishes the unlawful acquisition, or possession of firearms and ammunition.
Sara police chief Baldevarona recalled a previous incident that involved Del Castillo.
“There was a misunderstanding between the suspect and a man over land, and a gun-toting incident was reported to us,” said Baldevarona.
Under the law, no one is allowed to carry firearms outside of residence without first securing a Permit to Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFOR). This is a written authority issued to a licensed citizen by the Philippine National Police which entitles such person to carry his/her registered or lawfully issued firearm outside of the residence for the duration and purpose specified in the authority.
As chairperson of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council, Del Castillo is the go-to man when there are simple agrarian-related disputes to be settled in the village. He mediates between contending parties, police said.
He also assists the government in the implementation of the plans and programs of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, to qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be:
- a) a Filipino citizen;
- b) at least 21 years old at the time of the filing of his/her written application to own and possess a firearm or firearms;
(c) has gainful work, occupation, or business or has filed an Income Tax Return for the preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
