Man arrested for gun possession

CEBU, Philippines - A man who was supposed to be invited for questioning as regards a murder case was arrested for pulling out a gun Thursday when policemen went to his home in barangay Labangon.

Police eventually disarmed suspect Nelson Leng, 42, and     seized from him a gun and a grenade.

Insp. Romeo Sentinta of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 7 said they were following up on the case of Neil Gabutin, 34, a police asset who was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle in barangay Calamba last July 20.

Police said a witness has claimed that Leng was the gunman, said Sentinta.

At around 5 pm last Thursday, Sentinta said they proceeded to Tres de Abril St. to supposedly invite Leng to their office to shed light on the case.

However, as the police operatives were about to approach Leng, he reportedly drew a gun.

Sentinta said they managed to hold and disarm the suspect, who further yielded a hand grenade when he was frisked.

Sentinta said it was not yet established if Leng was really Gabutin’s perpetrator.

Charges for illegal possession of firearms and a separate charge for illegal possession of explosives will be filed against him.

Leng, in an interview, admitted owning the weapons, but denied any participation in the police asset’s murder.

At around 10 a.m. last July 20, Gabutin, who worked for the Cebu City Police Office, was walking along Lucio Drive with a male companion when killed. (FREEMAN)