CEBU - A member of the Anti-Robbery Task Force (ARTAF) was arrested and detained for possessing an unlicensed firearm while being drunk Wednesday night in front of the Mabolo barangay hall.
Leo Caminade, 43, of sitio Regla in Mabolo was arrested for having in his possession an unlicensed .38 caliber pistol despite introducing himself as a member of ARTAF, a civilian group connected with the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office.
Police investigation showed that Caminade went to the barangay hall and looked for a barangay tanod whom he had an altercation with last Saturday.
When he failed to find the barangay tanod, he was apprehended by barangay tanods on duty Janus Soralta and Giovannie Cortez for possessing a firearm.
PO1 Aaron Escudero of Mabolo Police Station then responded to the incident after barangay tanods called for police assistance.
Also confiscated from Caminade’s possession are six live bullets of .38 caliber pistol.
Caminade was then taken to Cebu City Medical Center for a liquor test in which he was found positive.
He is now detained at the Mabolo Police Station and a charge for illegal possession of firearms is being prepared against him.
TRS chief Sr. Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes said that they are conducting a separate investigation against Caminade.
Bastes said that once Caminade is found guilty to the charge, he would order for the suspect’s dismissal from the task force. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/LPM (THE FREEMAN)