Illegal gun possession charge filed vs. Arrogante slay suspect

A case of illegal possession of firearms was filed yesterday by the National Bureau of Investigation at the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office against the murder suspect in the killing of Daanbantayan businessman and politician Renerio Arrogante III.

This was in addition to the murder case that the accused gunman, army sergeant Moises Ludoc, is now facing at the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City.

The NBI charged Ludoc for violation of the Republic Act 8294 based on the certification issued by the Philippine National Police firearms division that he is not a licensed holder of a firearm of any caliber. His lawyer Nelson Mondigo however questioned the legality of his arrest, and is expected to raise the matter in court.

Ludoc was found in possession of a .38 cal. revolver when NBI operatives arrested him Wednesday noon in barangay Basak, Mandaue City for another case.  He was arrested by the NBI after witnesses reported that he was carrying an unlicensed firearm.

During the line-up after his arrest, Ludoc, assigned at the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Negros Occidental, was positively identified by the widow and the son of the killed businessman.

Other witnesses also pointed at him as the alleged gunman but, despite the identification, Ludoc insisted his innocence of the charges.

The NBI yesterday turned over Ludoc to the RTC in Bogo City where he was remanded to the city jail.

The family of Arrogante however considered plans to ask for the transfer of Ludoc to the the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center for security reasons.

They were reportedly wary about Ludoc’s security because the mastermind has yet to be identified and arrested.   — Fred P. Languido/RAE