Ex-Army man nabbed in gun raid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A former member of the Philippine Army was arrested in a gun raid morning of May 28, 2021 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Jupiter John Lascano, 37, was collared at his home in Barangay San Antonio, Barotac Viejo after the search operation 8 a.m. Friday.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Iloilo Provincial Field Unit, together with Barotac Viejo Police Station, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Regional Intelligence Division, carried out the operation by virtue of Search Warrant No. 2021-G-07.

Executive Judge Jose Mauricio Gomez of the Regional Trial Court 6 Branch 71 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, issued the warrant on May 26, 2021.

Recovered during the operation was a caliber .45 Armscor pistol (serial number 1270617) with two magazines and 17 ammunition; a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with three ammunition; and two expired firearm license cards.

Major Kenn Albert Lepsia, Barotac Nuevo police chief, said Lascano was discharged from the Armed Forces after he went AWOL (absent without official leave).

In 2020, he was implicated in a murder that also happened in Barotac Nuevo town.

But Lepsia said that Lascano managed to convince the court to allow him to post bail.

Lepsia said that the gun used in the murder incident was not surrendered nor recovered.

Lascano is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).