• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The authorities followed through on their commitment to curb the proliferation of loose firearms with the confiscation of an unlicensed shotgun from the possession of a farmer on Wednesday at Hacienda Hinalinan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, Negros Occidental.
The suspect was identified as alias “Tabing,” 51-years-old, male, married, a farmer and a resident of the barangay.
The operation stemmed from a lead received by the Silay Component City Police Station from a confidential informant who reported that the suspect was in possession of a firearm without the necessary documentation.
Acting on the report, intelligence operatives immediately conducted validation and continuous surveillance to confirm the veracity of the information. Upon verification, an application for a search warrant was filed and subsequently approved on October 2.
The implementation of the search warrant for violation of Republic Act No. 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, was carried out by the police on Wednesday, which led to the confiscation of the illegal firearm.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession and control were a unit of twelve-gauge magazine-fed shooters’ shotgun and one magazine with two rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.
The recovered firearm and ammunition will be submitted to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Forensic Unit for ballistic examination, while the arrested individual remains under the custody of Silay CCPS for proper legal disposition.
With the recent accomplishment, Regional Police Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said in a statement that the authorities were dedicated to eradicating the presence of illegal firearms in the region.
“The presence of loose firearms poses a constant threat to peace and security. PRO NIR remains resolute in its mission to rid our communities of unlicensed guns that often end up being used in crimes and violence. We will not relent until every illegal firearm is accounted for and those who keep them illegally are brought to justice,” he added.
Furthermore, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) urged the public to assist them in dismantling the circulation of loose firearms and ensuring that peace, safety, and the rule of law prevail across the region by simply reporting any malicious activities in their respective areas.*
