Army reservist collared for illegal possession of firearm

MANILA, Philippines - An Army reservist was arrested for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition Monday night in Caloocan City.

Chief Inspector Bartolome Tarnate, Caloocan City police Sub-station 2 commander, identified the suspect as Edwin Abong, 33, a resident of Heroes del ’96, DM Compound also in Caloocan. Police seized from the suspect a .45 caliber pistol with its magazine loaded with bullets and two other extra magazines also with bullets.

Police Officer 2 Felipe Woo of the Caloocan City police investigation unit said that at around 9:30 p.m., two women sought the assistance of the Police Community Precinct 8 officers claiming that a drunken man allegedly touched their private parts while they were walking on A. Mabini street in Sangandaan.

Accompanied by the two complainants, the PCP 8 operatives swooped down on the area resulting to the apprehension of the suspect.

Abong told the police that he is a reservist of the Armed Forces Reserved Command and that he was carrying a licensed handgun.

But when police asked him for his permit to carry firearm outside of residence, the suspect failed to present the permit.

“He is still accountable for illegal possession of firearm for carrying one outside of his residence without a permit,” Tarnate said.  – Pete Laude