Butcher jailed for illegal firearm possession in Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Police apprehended a butcher for possessing an unlicensed firearm. The arrest followed the execution of a search warrant early Thursday morning, March 21, at Angel Ville Subdivision in Barangay San Jose here.

Senior Master Sgt. Ramil Arcangeles, information officer for Roxas City PNP, said the joint operation was launched at 6:30 am by the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Roxas Component City Police station, under the command of Police Captain Rey Dordas and the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Paguia.

The suspect, Renante Ballonado, had reportedly been engaging in indiscriminate firing, alarming his neighbors, and had even threatened one with his weapon, which prompted the authorities to obtain a search warrant.

During the raid, officers recovered a .45 caliber pistol, a magazine, and a black holster from Ballonado’s residence. The search warrant had been issued just two days prior, on March 19, by Judge Esperanza Isabel Poco-Deslate of RTC Branch 19.

Albert Calipayan, the barangay captain of San Jose, reported that Ballonado was known in the community for previous incidents of indiscriminate firing near the BJMP and had once brandished his gun at a barangay tanod.

Additionally, Ballonado was listed by the BADAC as an alleged habitual illegal drug user.

Ballonado is now detained at the Roxas City PNP station, facing charges under RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.