Man charged for gun possession

CEBU, Philippines - A resident of Danao City, a known “gun capital” of the country, was charged yesterday for violation of Republic Act No. 8294 as amended, for illegal possession of firearm and ammunitions.

Prosecutor I Simaco Labata of the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended a bail of P120,000.00 for accused Victorio Hermita Gonzales, 40, married, a resident of Upland National Road, Poblacion, Danao City.

Gonzales was arrested last March 23, 2011 around 5 p.m. in Cebu City after it was recovered from his possession two homemade .45 caliber (Model 1911) pistol marked United States Property No. 273915 and No. 841897; two 10-round capacity magazine of .45 pistol and four seven-round capacity magazine of .45 caliber pistol.

SPO3 Ruel Hortelano and SPO3 Rene Cerna of Waterfront Police Station, in their joint-affidavit, stated that prior to Gonzales’ arrest, security guard Darwin Insao, an employee of GDS Security Agency who is assigned at the Secondary gate of Pier 1, requested their presence on the suspicion that the cardboard box carried by the accused contained firearms.

When the cardboard was opened, it was found out that it contained the said illegal items. —(FREEMAN)