French nabbed for carrying unlicensed gun

CEBU, Philippines - A 45-year-old Frenchman was arrested by police after he was caught in the act of possessing an unlicensed firearm Thursday afternoon in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

Thierry Ansart, temporarily residing with a Filipina live-in partner in an apartment in Barangay Marigondon, is currently detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office detention cell pending the filing of appropriate case against him.

Accounts revealed that the police received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a foreign national carrying a firearm tucked in his waist. Police said the foreigner's carrying of firearm had caused anxiety among his neighbors.

A mobile patrol team rushed to the area in Sitio Kolo and spotted Ansart within the vicinity of his apartment around 5:20 p.m. still carrying the firearm in his waist. Police  then frisked him and seized the .38 revolver with three live ammunitions in its cylinder.

Authorities asked for legal documents from Ansart for carrying the gun but he failed to present the same, leading to his arrest and detention.

In his defense, Ansart told police that he possessed the said firearm for protection. —  (FREEMAN)