Schizophrenic arrested with unlicensed gun in North Cotabato

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - A peasant clinically diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia landed in jail Friday for carrying an unlicensed gun while on his way to a doctor in Davao City.

Suspect Patrocinio Ramos Bulario, 73, did not resist arrest when members of the Kidapawan City police manning a security roadblock recovered from his possession a bag containing a 9 millimeter pistol while on board a van en route to Davao City.

Bulario is a resident of Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City, capital of North Cotabato.

Superintendent John Meridel Calinga, police director of Kidapawan City, said Bulario will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.

Investigators also held for questioning Bulario’s son, Jessie, a member of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, driver of the intercepted van.

The younger Bulario had initially told probers he was to bring his father to a neurologist in Davao City for a follow up treatment of his schizophrenia.