CEBU, Philippines – A 56-year-old farmer is facing illegal possession of firearms after allegedly causing trouble to his neighbors in Sitio Lipata, Barangay Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.
Winfredo Anibo, a native of Barangay Baye, Asturias town, went to visit his daughter’s house in Sitio Lipata but he was complained because he allegedly frightened his neighbors by firing his gun, according to Police Officer 2 Roberto Pepito of Pusok Police Station.
The commotion happened on Friday when one barangay tanod called the police around 6 p.m. and informed them about a trouble alarm in Sitio Lipata.
Pepito and other police personnel met with the barangay tanod and the latter pointed to the alleged suspect Anibo who was with a gun.
Police suspected that Anibo had another gun “bulging” on his waist that had caught the attention of police.
This prompted Pepito to declare arrest on the suspect. Anibo responded to their arrest without any resistance.
The police seized a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunition from Anibo’s possession. Initial investigation revealed that the “suspected gun” bulging on the suspect’s waist was actually a bellyband believed to be a “habak” and a large anting-anting made from metal hung on the suspect’s neck.
A reported misunderstanding between Anibo’s daughter caused the suspect to vent his anger through firing a bullet.
Pepito said the daughter did not file any complaint against his father, so the police filed a case against him instead.
Meanwhile, 31-year-old Adonis Vicoy was arrested on Monday around 6 p.m. inside his rented room in Sitio Saac 1, Barangay Buaya.
Pepito, who responded to the scene, said a certain citizen called their office and reported to them about Vicoy who allegedly possessed firearms.
Police personnel went to the barangay and they saw Vicoy walking along the street.
Pepito added that the suspect also saw them coming towards him and reportedly ran away from them, going to his rented room. However, he was cornered by the police and eventually arrested.
The police confiscated a .38 caliber pistol with three live ammunition and a removable silencer from Vicoy’s possession and they later discovered five small sachets of suspected shabu inside his pocket.
The suspect is now behind bars in Pusok Police Station and will be charged with a complaint of illegal possession of firearms and of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.