A barangay chairman was arrested after authorities recovered an unlicensed firearm, ammunition and a hand grenade during the implementation of a search warrant in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, July 17.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the operation was conducted in Hacienda Nasipunan, Brgy. 12, by the Victorias City police in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.
The suspect, identified only by his alias “Gar,” 54, is the incumbent punong barangay of Brgy. 12, Victorias City.
Police said the operation stemmed from information received from a concerned citizen alleging that the barangay official was in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Authorities conducted surveillance and firearms verification, which allegedly confirmed that the suspect was not a licensed firearm holder, prompting police to secure a search warrant from the court.
Recovered during the operation were a .22 caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition, 63 additional rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and one hand grenade, the police said.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and is now under the custody of the Victorias Police Station pending the filing of charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9516, which penalizes the illegal possession of explosives.
PRO-NIR said the search warrant was implemented using body-worn cameras in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Regional Director BGen. Romano V. Cardiño said the operation forms part of the police’s continuing campaign against loose firearms and illegal explosives across the Negros Island Region.*
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