Laborer nabbed for brandishing gun while at a wake

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A laborer was arrested for alleged illegal possession of a firearm evening of September 11 in Badiangan, Iloilo.

Luis Indico, 36, of Barangay Caluyahan, Lambunao town, yielded an unlicensed caliber .45 pistol.

A magazine loaded with six ammunition, which was not inserted into the handgun, was also seized from his possession.

Major Bonifacio Alabe, Jr., Badiangan police chief, said they responded to a call for police assistance at a wake in Barangay Sianon after a village official reported that a man was brandishing a gun.

Indico was allegedly drunk and went around on purpose to show off his gun. But he did not resist when the police arrived.

Indico claimed the firearm was owned by his deceased brother who was a retired police officer.

After his brother’s death, he took possession of the firearm.

He justified that he brought the firearm with him even if he knew that there was an ongoing Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban for fear that it might be stolen.

Indico is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and Comelec Resolution No. 10918, which prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons outside residence.

To date, 28 persons have been arrested for gun ban violations in Western Visayas.