Farmer yields unlicensed guns

CEBU, Philippines - A 61-year-old farmer was arrested yesterday morning in Cantipla 1, Barangay Taptap, Cebu City after five assorted firearms were recovered from his house during a raid conducted by the operatives of the City Intelligence Branch.

Apolonio Bontuyan was held in police custody after he failed to show documents that his possession of five firearms was legal. CIB deputy chief, Inspector Gomersendo Mandawe, said the suspect was placed under surveillance after receiving reports about his bringing of firearm outside of his residence.

 “Sa report sa among informant nga iya ra sang silingan nga magdala-dala og armas magtakin. Base sa imbistigasyon display ra kaayo,” Mandawe said.

Mandawe said they checked with the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section whether Bontuyan was a licensed gun holder.

The records at FESSAGSS reveal that the suspect was not on the list of persons granted authority to own a gun, prompting them to immediately apply for a search warrant.

Regional Trial Court Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises issued the search warrant against Bontuyan. At 6 a.m. yesterday the police swooped down on Bontuyan’s residence and confiscated four caliber .38 revolvers and a caliber .45 pistol.

Bontuyan denied owning the guns, claiming that he does not keep any weapon except for his farming tools.

 “Wa g’yud ko magtinir og armas sir, di gyud intawn akoa nang mga armas,” Bontuyan said.

The suspect will face a criminal complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.  —FPL (FREEMAN)