Cop arrested for bringing gun outside of work

CEBU, Philippines - A 29-year-old policeman was arrested Thursday night for carrying his service firearm even while off duty.

 Chief Insp. Michelangelo Beltran of the Guadalupe Police Station said they arrested PO1 Henry Virtudazo, a native of Surigao Del Norte, for violating the Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban. Virtudazo also failed to show documents to support possession of the gun.

Virtudazo was drinking with friends at a convenience store along M. Velez St. in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City when retired policeman Jose Ledesma, 59, a personal security of former congressman Antonio Cuenco arrived to buy cellphone credits.

Virtudazo reportedly asked the cashier for Ledesma’s name, saying the latter acted suspiciously.

He then went after Ledesma and even without identifying himself, allegedly frisked the former cop.

“Mao to iyang gigukod, iyang girekisa diritso unya wala siya nagpaila unya hubog pa gyud,” he said.

 Beltran’s men then responded and found Virtudazo in possession of a 9mm pistol with serial no. 43951 with 15 live bullets.

Provincial Police Director, Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, has already ordered an investigation into the incident.

Gairanod said no less than Beltran called him up after Virtudazo was arrested.

“Actually, nadunggan nako gabii nga nitawag tong polis nako nga gikan sa RPSB nga naa sa Cebu province nga nanion. Nakakasira yan nga imahe ng ibang polis,” Gairanod said.

He said he directed Beltran to investigate the incident and file charges if warranted.          

“I leave it to the station commander sa Guadalupe nga kung ma-found out nga sad-an, ma-filan… kung ma- found out nga nakasi-bilyan ka, wala naka-duty, naay gun ban. Kung makasohan ka, mabuti,” Gairando said.

Gairanod said Virtudazo, a newly hired cop, is still undergoing training with the Regional Public Safety Battalion and is supposed to be assigned at the Provincial Public Safety Company.

Because of the incident, Virtudazo will be assigned at the provincial holding and accounting unit to pave way for the administrative investigation.

Renewal

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations, stressed no one is exempted from the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which mandates the renewal of expired licenses of firearms. 

“While in the course of renewing license or while they were processing their papers they can deposit their firearms at the nearest police station voluntarily,” he said.

“Our main goal is to have a peaceful election,” he said, adding, “We are making some measures in order that these (firearms) will not be used. This is for safekeeping.” (FREEMAN)