Man Caught With Gun, Replica at Guimaras Wharf

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A construction site watchman was arrested after he was found carrying a gun and a gun replica on Election Day.

Alias “Geny,” 52, of Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras, was caught at the screening area of the RoRo Wharf in Barangay Hoskyn, Jordan.

Reports said the suspect passed through the screening machine at 3:20 p.m. Monday as he was about to board a vessel bound for Iloilo City.

The screener immediately alerted police after detecting “guns” in the suspect’s bag.

Authorities instructed him to open the bag, where they found a .22-caliber revolver with four live rounds and a gun replica.

Col. Rhea Santos, Guimaras police chief, said the suspect worked at a construction site in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Geny claimed he had borrowed the gun from a friend and was carrying it for personal protection but did not elaborate.

He also claimed the replica was intended as a gift for his son.

However, Santos said the suspect allegedly used the replica to threaten and harass several individuals.

He is now in custody and will face charges for violating Commission on Elections Resolution No. 11067, which enforces the election gun ban, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The suspect is the 68th person arrested in the region for violating the Comelec gun ban.

Guimaras police have made four arrests related to the gun ban, while Iloilo Police Provincial Office reported 27, Capiz PPO 16, Iloilo City Police Office seven, Antique PPO eight, Aklan PPO four, and the Regional Mobile Force Company three.