75-Year-Old Balikbayan Nabbed in Gun Raid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An elderly balikbayan was arrested following a police raid in Balasan, Iloilo, on the morning of June 2.

Members of the Balasan Municipal Police Station arrested alias Monet, 75, during a firearm raid at his home in Sitio Landing, Barangay Kinalkalan.

The operation was backed by a search warrant issued by the presiding judge of the 6th Regional Trial Court Branch 71 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The raiding team recovered a .45-caliber “Grease Gun” submachine gun with a long magazine loaded with six rounds.

Police Capt. Renzo Martinez, Balasan police chief, said the operation was launched after receiving complaints from village residents.

They accused Monet of firing his gun in the area.

Martinez said the suspect was also reported for making threats and was seen brandishing a firearm.

Intelligence officers validated the reports and confirmed that the suspect possessed an unlicensed firearm.

Monet is now in police custody and will be charged with violating RA 10591.

Police said Monet had returned home after living in Hawaii, USA, where his children are based.

Since coming back, he has been tending to their farmland in Balasan town.