MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police revoked the firearm license of an Army reservist who allegedly gunned down a cyclist after a traffic altercation in Quiapo, Manila.
Army reservist Vhon Martin Tanto shot dead bicycle rider Mark Vincent Geralde in a road rage incident in Quiapo last Monday night.
"Because of the gravity of the offense of Mr. Tanto and the outrage it triggered and his wanton disregard for human life, motu propio we investigated the case and resolved to revoke his licenses," Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) chief Senior Superintendent Cesar Binag said at a televised press briefing on Friday.
Binag said that Tanto has three licensed firearms at the FEO—a caliber .45 pistol and a caliber .40 pistol.
Tanto has been ordered to turn over all of his firearms to the nearest police office immediately upon receipt of notice. The police sent the revocation order to his house on Thursday, according to Binag.
"Ang pagkakaroon ng baril ay isang pribilehiyo, hindi ito isang karapatan so anytime the government, of course provided by law, we can revoke the licenses that we issued to gunholders," Binag said.
The road rage suspect's guns will be considered as loose firearms if he will not surrender them before the police.
If proven that one of Tanto's three licensed guns were used in the road rage incident, the suspect might face additional charges of illegal possession of firearm.
Binag added that Tanto did not have a permit to carry firearms outside residence, as well as permit to transfer firearms.
The Manila Police District (MPD) has already filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against Tanto, who has been caught on CCTV fatally shooting the victim after exchanging punches along P. Casal street in Quiapo on Monday evening.
The incident also injured 18-year-old Rocel Bondoc who was hit by a stray bullet outside her house.
The MPD has ordered a manhunt for Tanto after failing to surrender before the police on Thursday afternoon. The suspect's vehicle, which he used in the incident, was recently recovered in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.
RELATED: Erap sets P100K bounty for arrest of Quiapo road rage suspect