Businessman Arrested in Gun Raid Faces Multiple Charges

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A businessman arrested during a police gun raid on Tuesday morning, October 15, in Poblacion Norte, Ivisan, Capiz, is facing multiple criminal cases.

PMAJ Ruby Magallanes, chief of the Ivisan PNP, said the suspect, Fredgil Villar-Uguil, has been previously involved in several cases.

Uguil was linked to a robbery incident in Sapian, Capiz, in February 2023, for which a warrant of arrest had been issued against him.

He is also facing a homicide case for a shooting incident during the last day of the Buyluganay Festival in Ivisan last year.

Uguil, once detained at the Capiz Rehabilitation Center (CRC) as a person deprived of liberty (PDL), had previously availed of a pardon.

The search warrant was carried out by joint elements of the 2nd Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company, led by Police Lt. Col. Francisco Paguia, the Provincial Drug Intelligence Unit, and the Ivisan police. The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court Acting Presiding Judge Lorencito B. Diaz of Branch 18.

The raid was related to violations of Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

Authorities recovered a hand grenade, a KG9 with a magazine loaded with ammunition, two .45-caliber pistols, a .38 revolver, three rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition, three sachets of suspected illegal drugs, a red car, and motorcycles.

The items recovered matched those listed in the search warrant, except for the 12-gauge shotgun, which was not found.

The search warrant was prompted by complaints from neighbors accusing Uguil of indiscriminately firing his firearm and causing alarm in the area.

Uguil denied ownership of the recovered items.

The suspect, a seafood dealer trading green shell products in Ivisan, now faces charges for violating R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), and R.A. 9516 (Unlawful Possession of Explosives).