Businessman Faces Multiple Charges for Gun Ban Violation

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A businessman involved in a road crash in Jaro, Iloilo City, is facing multiple criminal charges after police discovered several firearms in his possession.

The Iloilo City Police Station 9 filed charges on Jan. 14 against the suspect, identified only as alias Ryan, for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), RA 7166 (Election Gun Ban), and reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and physical injuries. The charges were submitted to the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office.

Colonel Kim Legada, Iloilo City police chief, said the 41-year-old suspect from Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City, has not yet posted bail.

Ryan is the first election gun ban violator in Western Visayas this year. He was arrested following a traffic incident in Barangay Seminario, Jaro.

Police reports indicated that Ryan was driving a Toyota Hilux pickup when it plowed into a row of bibingka kiosks around 1:10 a.m. on Jan. 12.

Responding officers from ICPS9 saw several firearms in plain view inside the vehicle. Authorities recovered a Smith & Wesson Springfield caliber 9mm pistol with a magazine containing eight rounds, a Smith & Wesson Houlton caliber .38 pistol with a magazine holding eight rounds, and an Armalite M15A2 rifle with eight magazines and 251 rounds of ammunition.

Captain Gimel Acuesta of Iloilo City Police Station 9 said two civilians sustained minor injuries in the incident, while Ryan was physically unharmed.

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is awaiting the verification results from the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) 6 to determine whether the firearms were licensed and to whom they belong.