Man with grenade in pocket becomes first gun ban violator

MANILA, Philippines - A man who urinated in public yesterday became the first person to be arrested for violating the gun ban after authorities found a grenade in his pants.

Bernato Daria was seen urinating in full view of passersby along EDSA near the corner of M. dela Cruz street by two Pasay City police officers, who arrested him for violating City Ordinance 1572, which prohibits urinating in public, according to reports reaching Camp Crame.

As the policemen were frisking the suspect, they found an MK2 fragmentation hand grenade in the front pocket of his pants. According to records, he was nabbed at 12:15 a.m., or fifteen minutes after the nationwide election gun ban took effect. The ban also covers explosives, like grenades, and dangerous weapons.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leonardo Espina said Daria will be subjected to inquest proceedings for illegal possession of explosives in relation to the Omnibus Election Code and urinating in public.

Daria is also known by the alias “Tangoy” and is allegedly a member of a local gang, police reports state.