Pasay village chief, brod nabbed on gun raps

MANILA, Philippines - A Pasay City barangay chairman and his brother were arrested Saturday for brandishing illegal handguns, a police official said yesterday.

Barangay 118, Zone 14 chairman Mark Anthony San Juan and his brother, Mark Oliver, reportedly a National Bureau of Investigation agent, will be charged with illegal possession of firearms, grave threats and obstruction of justice, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca.

At around 6 p.m. Saturday, Mark Oliver, a .45 caliber pistol in hand, allegedly challenged residents and passersby on Dimasalang street to a fight, Llorca said.

Responding police officers arrested Mark Oliver and confiscated his handgun, which had a fully loaded magazine. His brother then allegedly tried to order the police officers to release Mark Oliver.

Llorca said the policemen told San Juan to go to the police station and follow up on the complaint against his brother. When the barangay chairman showed up at the police station, he brought out a 9mm pistol as he demanded his brother’s release.

San Juan was also arrested when police officers found that his gun license had expired.