Owner of gun used in van strafing charged

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed charges against the owner of a .40 caliber Glock pistol used by a Philippine Constabulary (PC) general’s son to strafe a van in Barangay White Plains, Quezon City on Sept. 1.

Joseph Tee See, registered owner of the .40 caliber Glock pistol, was charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Law) after he sold the firearm to Jose Maria Abaya on March 25 with no pertinent documents, according to a special report obtained by The STAR.

“No papers showed that they obtained or secured necessary license permit before the transfer,” the report stated.

Abaya is a son of retired PC general Antonio Abaya.

The QCPD filed charges against See with the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on Sept. 15.

Acording to the report, See violated Section 41 of RA 10591 stating that “it shall be unlawful to transfer possession of any firearm to any person who has not yet obtained or secured the necessary license or permit thereof.”

A certification from the Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) shows that the gun used by Abaya was registered to See.

On Sept. 9, lawyer Maria Angelica de Ramos submitted to the QCPD a judicial affidavit of Rene Lorenzo, who witnessed the sale. De Ramos also submitted the deed of sale for the firearm, dated March 14.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio asked the FEO to revoke See’s firearms license.

Abaya surrendered after strafing the van, which had broken down along Katipunan Avenue Extension. He said he shot the van, thinking its driver was sent to bring him back to a drug rehabilitation center.

The strafing killed assistant bank manager Joyce Santos and van driver Ronebert Ycot and left Duke Angelo David, Char-magne Angcaya and Shaira Durin wounded.

Abaya was charged two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm.