Man charged for having gun

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly carrying around a .45 cal. pistol, a 21-year-old man is now facing charges before the court.

Prosecutor Jose Nathaniel Andal indicted Edmund Igot, a resident of Sitio Matumbo, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, after finding probable cause to do so.

During inquest proceeding, the accused choose not to file a counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against him. Instead, he manifested to face the case in court.

His bail was set at P120,000.

On July 16, 2014 at around 5:30 p.m., the accused was arrested by policemen in Sitio Maharlika, Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City, for illegal possession of a .45 cal. pistol with three live rounds in the clip.

According to Senior Police Officer 1 Raymundo Sugatan and his colleague, on the said date at around 4 p.m. a concerned citizen informed their office that there were a group of youngsters believed to be fraternity members who were there to conduct an initiation in Sitio Maharlika and one of them was carrying a gun.

The policemen said after a quick briefing they proceeded to the area.

“Around 5:30 p.m. of same date, arriving thereby, we walked at the small alley of the above-mentioned place when we spotted the group of youngsters that fits the description given by the informant wherein one of them has a firearm tucked at the back of his waist and upon seeing us the said youngsters run and scampered away in different directions,” the joint affidavit of the arresting officers read.

Police Officer 3 Journey Fuentes and Police Officer 1  Perceval Eborias ran after the suspect who had a gun and arrested him inside a house. The suspect was later identified as Igot.

Igot reportedly tried to hide the gun by placing it under a chair but it was seen by the responding police officers. When asked if he had a license to possess and carry firearm outside his residence, the accused failed to present any.

The police added that they recovered a wooden paddle in the area which they believe was meant to be used for the initiation. —/BRP (FREEMAN)