2 face raps over gun ban

CEBU, Philippines - Since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban started on January 13, 2013, only two cases were filed as of yesterday before the Regional Trial Court Criminal Division.

One of the cases filed before the court was against Alfredo Ovelcia Roa Jr., a resident of Warwick, Barracks, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

Based on the charge sheet, he was indicted for carrying a gun outside of his residence. He was bringing one homemade (paltik) caliber .22 revolver without serial number with four live ammunitions.

State Prosecutor Anna Lou Fernandez-Cavada said the accused carried the firearm without obtaining the necessary permits from the Comelec in violation of Section 261(q) of Batas Pambansa 881 or Omnibus Election Code in relation to Comelec resolution 9561-A.

Cavada recommended P12,000 for Roa's temporary liberty.

On January 14, 2013 at around 10:30 p.m. while police officers conducted an operation against all forms of illegal activities in Barangay Ermita particularly in the Warwick they saw the accused holding a gun.

"We could not be mistaken that it was a handgun he was holding since we were only three to five meters away from him and besides, the light coming from the electric  post was enough for us to see the said person and the evidence," the affidavit of arrest reads.

Thereafter, PO2 Milberto Yosores and PO2 Albert Sator approached the accused and introduced themselves as police officers. It was Sator who confiscated the firearm from the possession of the accused, a 21-year old.

Upon verification, the police said they found out that the accused has no authority to carry and to possess firearm.

After informing the right of the accused, the police said they brought the accused to their office at the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) for proper disposition.

The operation was conducted as per instruction of their head, Police Chief Inspector Alexis Relado.

The other accused charged for Omnibus Election Code was Segundino Baya, a resident of Cebu City. – (FREEMAN)