ILOILO – A gun holder managed to evade arrest during a police raid at his house in Zone 4, Barangay Lumbo, Pototan town on Saturday, March 15.
The suspect, identified only as “Gil”, was not around when the search was carried out by the Regional Mobile Unit 6 (RMU-6) following reports from neighbors, who claimed that the suspect frequently discharged his firearm, causing fear in the neighborhood.
The operation was executed under a search warrant at 7 a.m.
The authorities recovered a .38 caliber revolver, a magazine, and four rounds of ammunition from the suspect’s residence.
Major Janvier Gilza of RMU-6 confirmed that charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, which governs illegal possession of firearms, would be filed against the suspect.
Gilza added that the raid’s subject is also suspected of being involved in other illicit activities in the area.
“We are intensifying our operations against loose firearms and working with other units to address pending cases,” he said.
For its part, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has stepped up its efforts in the ongoing campaign against loose firearms, following directives from IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan.
During a recent conference, Razalan ordered all police chiefs in the province to intensify operations aimed at locating and confiscating unlicensed firearms, particularly in light of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
Razalan emphasized the importance of checkpoints and search warrants as essential tools in preventing gun-related violence, especially ahead of the elections.
“I have given a standing order to all my police chiefs to double their efforts in curbing the presence of loose firearms,” he told Panay News.
Since the implementation of the Comelec gun ban on January 12, the IPPO has recorded 18 arrests for gun-related violations, ranking second in the region, just behind the Negros Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), which has arrested 23 violators.
The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has also apprehended 14 individuals.
As of March 26, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has arrested a total of 82 gun ban violators./PN
