BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A retired soldier of the Philippine Army was arrested. He allegedly discharged his firearm on the evening of New Year’s Day, Saturday in Purok Cory, Barangay Tabu, Ilog town.
Police identified the suspect as 45-year-old Rubin Vidal.
Ilog town police chief, Police Captain Thurslie Castillo said that around 9 p.m. of Jan. 1, Vidal’s wife called town Councilor Leo Premucha and told him that her husband was acting unruly and allegedly discharged his firearm several times.
As Premucha was considered a “person in authority”, he immediately exercised his power and arrested Vidal on the spot, after which Vidal was brought to the Ilog municipal police station.
Castillo said prior to being arrested Vidal also got in to a heated argument with his wife, which prompted him to discharge his firearm.
The suspect was also noted to be inebriated at the time of the incident.
Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol, along with several live and empty .45 bullets.
Castillo added they were now conducting a validation to see if Vidal’s .45 caliber pistol was registered, and the suspect had also undergone a paraffin test.
Vidal could face charges related to RA 10591 or the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition.
Police are also waiting if Premucha will press charges of resisting arrest as Vidal also allegedly resisted when he was being arrested./PN