Laborer nabbed over gun ban in Apayao

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -A laborer from Luna town in Apayao is the 18th violator of the gun ban in the highland region.

Policemen, led by Inspector Lorvinn Layugan of the Luna town police, armed with  a search warrant, raided the house of Rodel Sabornido, 30, for violating PD 1866 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition) as amended in purok Saranay, Tumog, Luna, Wednesday morning.

Judge Quirino M. Andaya of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 authorized the raid.

Three assorted firearms and ammunition – a homemade shotgun loaded with one round of ammunition, one Cal. 45 with serial number 763387 inserted with magazine loaded with seven bullets, a Carbine M1 Rifle with two magazines taped together with 21 bullets and 76 assorted bullets.

Sabornido, who was the 18th violator of the gun ban in the region, was taken by policemen.

Since Monday,  six assorted firearms without ammunition were voluntarily surrendered to the different town police stations in Abra province after barangay visitation and “pulong-pulong” held by policemen at the heels of the heightened campaign against loose firearms.

Surrendered to the Lagayan police and PNP- SAF were: 2- 12 gauge homemade shotguns; one Cal.45 pistol and a gauge 12 shotgun to the Tineg police; and to- gauge 12 shotguns to the Bangued and Bucay police. -Artemio A. Dumlao*