Police releases PDEA agent

CEBU, Philippines - The confidential agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 who was apprehended after he yielded a gun during a checkpoint in the city’s downtown area the other day was released yesterday after proven that the gun is licensed and he has the permit to carry.

Jezer Banzon, 29, of Minglanilla town, was released from the custody of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office yesterday afternoon after he presented pertinent documents attesting that his .45 caliber pistol is licensed.

Banzon was taken to the CCPO by Givenchy Flores of the City Traffic Operations and Management that latter seized a gun from his possession. Flores frisked the PDEA agent when they figured in a verbal tussle over a traffic violation.

PDEA-7 deputy director Yogi Filemon Ruiz went to CCPO yesterday and presented the firearm license of Banzon from Firearms Explosives Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESSAGS).

Ruiz also explained that Banzon, like his fellow agents, is issued with permit to carry card during operations but during a certain period of time only.

“This is just a simple misunderstanding, blown out of proportion,” Ruiz said.

IDMB head Chief Insp. George Ylanan also said that Banzon was taken into police custody while his firearm was subjected to verification.

Ylanan said Banzon was able to present all the documents proving that his firearm is licensed and clarified that the latter was not detained. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)