American on his way to Korea yields gun

CEBU, Philippines - A 73-year-old American is detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail after he was caught with a gun while about to depart for Korea at the Mactan Cebu International Airport Thursday evening.

Senior Supt. Constantino V. Barrot, Police Aviation Security Group-7 chief, identified the foreigner as John Joseph Rooney of  New York, U.S.A.

Rooney, Barrot said, was supposed to board Korean Air flight KE017.

Barrot said departure area personnel saw a gun inside the baggage Rooney was carrying when he passed through the connecting screen checkpoint around 10:30 p.m.

Aside from the gun, a HK Smith and Wesson pistol, authorities also seized three magazines of caliber 40 bullets from Rooney, who failed to present any document allowing him to carry the said firearm.

After an initial investigation, airport personnel brought Rooney to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office for the filing of appropriate complaint against him.

Airport police are currently closely monitoring those who enter the airport to ensure the safety of the thousands of passengers who use the facility each day. — /RHM (FREEMAN)