“Hitman” arrested with gun

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged hitman said to be one of those responsible for the series of shooting incidents in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City recently was arrested for illegal possession of firearms Thursday night.

Ariel “Paking” Mesias, 33, a resident of Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, was apprehended by operatives of the City Intelligence Branch in Sitio Laray, Barangay Inayawan.

CIB deputy chief, Inspector Gomersendo Mandawe, said they received information from a concerned citizen about the presence of a group of armed persons in Sitio Laray.

When the police arrived in the area, Mesias attempted to escape but was already surrounded by CIB operatives, said Mandawe.

The police recovered a cal. 357 revolver with five live rounds from the suspect.

Mandawe said Mesias was among the persons they have been monitoring in relation to the recent series of shooting incidents in Barangay Inayawan.

“Dugay na ‘mi nangita ani niya. Hitman ni siya diha sa Inayawan,” he said.

The firearm recovered from the suspect will be subjected to ballistic examination to determine if this was used in other crimes.

Mesias is now detained at the Cebu City Police Office detention cell and will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Also on Thursday, a 20-year-old man was arrested after he was caught with a firearm in Barangay Babag Dos, Cebu City.

Melchor Ejares, of Barangay Sudlon II, was apprehended by elements of the Cebu City Public Safety Company who were conducting mobile patrol.

Senior Police Officer Rene Cerna, investigator of CCPSC, said they were patrolling the area when Ejares, who was driving a motorcycle, passed by.

The police asked him to stop since he was not wearing a helmet. A cal. 38 revolver with ammunition was then seized from his waistline.

Cerna added they also found out that Ejares was driving without license and was using an unregistered motorcycle.

Ejares, a welder, said he was on his way to work in Liloan that time. He said he only borrowed the firearm from a friend out of his anger at the godfather of his 1-year-old child.

He alleged that he caught his live-in partner exchanging sweet text messages with the godfather of his child.

Ejares’ reportedly learned about the text messages when he brought his live-in partner’s mobile phone with him, but his partner denied having a relationship with the godfather of their child.

Ejares’ mother, Beda, said her son and his 19-year-old partner have been living together for two years. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)