Polk resident nabbed with ‘Estrada firearm’

A neighbor of ousted President Joseph Estrada was arrested late Saturday afternoon by Manila police for carrying a pistol, which bore the name of the ousted chief executive on its barrel slide.

Carlo de Leon, 32 Polk Street, North Greenhills, San Juan, said the gun – a Glock 9mm – was meant as gift to the ex-president by his gun-dealer brother, whom he said was the former chief executive’s gun supplier. He said he merely borrowed the gun.

Western Police District (WPD) investigator Senior Police Office 1 Herman Limayo said De Leon, a company executive, was arrested by mobile patrol operatives at the corner of Remedios and Adriatico streets for entering a one-way street. Upon inspection by police, the gun was spotted by police bulging from under his shirt tucked in his waist.

"Of course what was unusual with the gun was that it was carrying the name of the former president," said Limayo.

The marking "PRESIDENT ERAP ESTRADA" was on the right side of the slide and was inscribed in bold letters. – Jose Aravilla