Ex-seaman falls in gun raid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A former seafarer was arrested in a firearm raid morning of May 13, 2021 in Anilao, Iloilo.

Gerald Dato-on, 40, was collared after police operatives swooped down on his house at Barangay Sto. Rosario, Anilao around 7 a.m. of Thursday.

Members of Anilao Police Station scoured Dato-on’s house by virtue of Search Warrant No. 2021-014 issued by Executive Judge Oscar Leo Billena of the Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 70 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo on May 11, 2021.

Lieutenant Ryan Christ Inot, Anilao police deputy chief, said they planned the search and seizure operations following several complaints against the suspect.

“‘Pag nakainom, palagi daw nagpapaputok,” Inot said.

Recovered during the operation were a caliber .9mm pistol with two magazines, a holster, and 10 ammunition for caliber .9mm pistol; and a caliber .38 revolver loaded with five ammunition and a holster.

Dato-on used to work as a seafarer but had been sidelined for quite a while because of a pending criminal case.

Inot said the suspect used to face a gun-related charge but the court already resolved the case.

Dato-on was with his wife, four children and a sibling during the raid.

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