BIN member points gun at motorist, arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A member of the Barangay Intelligence Network in Barangay Talamban was arrested for pointing a gun at a  motorist at a checkpoint along Leyson Street, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City Thursday evening.

Jeneboy Balasabas, 32, of Barangay San Jose will be facing charges for grave threats and illegal possession of firearm, the police said.

Complainant Dean Mark Lape, 31, a resident of the barangay, alleged that Balasabas pointed a gun at him during the checkpoint.

Talamban Police Station chief, Senior Inspector Bienvenido Miral, said Balasabas went with the police to conduct the checkpoint around 11 p.m. last Thursday.

Lape, who was driving a motorcycle, stopped for the checkpoint and figured in a minor agreement with the policemen, prompting Balasabas to suddenly pull out his gun and pointed it to Lape, said Miral.

According to Miral, Balasabas has long been accompanying the police in conducting checkpoints and this was the first time that a complaint was reported against him.

Miral admitted that a BIN member is prohibited to carry firearm especially if it is unlicensed.

“Bawal gyud na nga naa’y armas ang BIN. Wala siguro to nahibalo ang team leader sa checkpoint nga naa to siya’y armas,” he said.

While he acknowledged the contribution of BIN members to the police force, the police chief said they have to arrest them if they violate the law.

“Bawal man gyud nang magdala sila og armas unya manion pa g’yud. Kanang armas, last resort na ‘na, unya kinahanglan naa ka’y lisensya pero kung naa sa checkpoint, dili na puwede,” he explained.

The suspect, who yielded a cal. 38 revolver with two live rounds, is currently detained at Talamban Police Station. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)