Seized gun turns out to be cop’s

CEBU, Philippines - Carbon police seized a gun from a motorist at a checkpoint Wednesday night in Barangay Ermita that later turned out to be a firearm owned by a police officer in duty pawned to the owner of a lodge.

The .45 cal. pistol was recovered from Ralph Ian Ongsuco Lerio, 27, of Katipunan Street, Barangay Labangon.

The gun is said to be owned by Junith Barotil who allegedly pawned it to the owner of a lodge in Leon Kilat Street.

Chief Inspector Noel Lomente, station commander, Carbon police said that the gun was pawned to Lerio’s father but the younger Lerio planned of bringing it to their house.

But around 10:00 p.m. Senior Inspector Pablito Sarno of Carbon Police conducted a checkpoint in Borromeo Street, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

Sarno and his team intercepted the gun at Lerio’s motorcycle that led to his arrest.

Lomente said that the gun was pawned to pay Barotil’s bill at the lodge worth P1,700.

When Sarno and his men checked the gun they saw Barotil’s licensed card.

Together with the gun, a licensed card of firearm was also recovered by the police officers.

The card belongs to Barotil whose address as shown in the card is Barangay Pokpok Sur, Loon town in Bohol.

Lomente added that the gun was just been pawned after the police officer ran out of money to pay for his bill.

“Nahutdan tingali to siya kwarta ibayad sa lodge or naa ba siya’y lain gamitan sa kwarta,” he said.

Lomente said although the gun is Barotil’s personal property and not a government issued firearm he is still liable for pawning it. He said that a gun should not be pawned to somebody because it might be used on other purposes. 

Lerio will be facing charges for illegal possession of firearm.  (FREEMAN)