CEBU, Philippines — Four days since the start of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, a 44-year-old man was arrested at the corner of N. Bacalso Avenue. and Tabada Street in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City at a checkpoint yesterday dawn.
Reynaldo Repaso Cabatino, 44, of Brgy. Libo Ilaya, San Fernando, Cebu, failed to show documents for the gun found tucked in his waist during the checkpoint by Mambaling Police Station personnel.
Police Captain Arnel Ancheta, Mambaling Police Station deputy chief, said they were manning the Comelec checkpoint when Cabatino, riding a blue Aerox motorcycle, arrived.
Ancheta said that as soon as Cabatino realized that there was a checkpoint, he slowed down and tried to flee by attempting to make a U-turn.
Alert personnel immediately blocked Cabatino and questioned him why he tried to get away, while at the same time asking for his motorcycle’s registration.
Ancheta said it was then that they found a bulge under Cabatino’s shirt, which turned out to be caused by a gun tucked in his waist.
Cabatino allegedly claimed the gun was licensed but he could not produce the document.
“Course of action namin, dinala namin siya sa estasyon for investigation,” Ancheta said.
When asked what he was carrying a firearm, Cabatino allegedly said that he was selling it to someone in Barangay Duljo Fatima, a neighboring barangay of Mambaling.
The police are still investigating if Cabatino, who would be charged with illegal possession of firearms and for violating the gun ban, is involved in illegal activities. — RHM (FREEMAN)