BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A 41-year-old businessman was arrested on the first day of the nationwide Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in this city.
Ryan Anthony Jugao Soliva was caught around 1:10 a.m. yesterday, January 12, in Barangay Seminaryo, Jaro district following a traffic accident.
According to a report from Iloilo City Police Station 9 (ICPS9), a Toyota Hilux pickup driven by Soliva accidentally collided with a bingka kiosk. Responding police officers noticed a firearm in plain view on the driver’s seat.
A lawful search was conducted in the presence of Soliva’s girlfriend and media members, leading to the discovery of the following:
* one Smith & Wesson .9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition;
* one Walther Smith & Wesson .380 pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition; and
* one Eagle Arms Armalite M15A2 5.56mm rifle with seven magazines and 221 rounds of ammunition.
The seized firearms and ammunition are currently under the custody of the ICPS9 Exhibit Custodian for verification.
Soliva was detained at ICPS9 as investigations continue./PN
