Motorist caught with gun in checkpoint

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A motorcycle driver was arrested after a handgun was seized from him at a police checkpoint in Jaro, Iloilo City late evening of Nov 30.

Ryan Orda, 44, of 2nd NIA Road, Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo was on his way home when members of the Iloilo City Police Station 3 flagged him down at Barangay Sambag.

Staff Sergeant Ralph Franco asked for Orda’s driver’s license and the motorcycle’s registration papers.

The suspect alighted from his vehicle and took his driver’s license from his wallet and subsequently opened his Honda 150 motorcycle’s utility box to get his OR-CR.

Captain Eduardo Siacon, ICPS3 chief, said that Franco saw what appeared to be a portion of a handgun’s grip in the partially opened sling bag.

When Franco checked, the bag contained a caliber .45 pistol with three magazines and 24 ammunition.

Siacon said the gun has a serial number of .007 and could be made from Danao City, Cebu, which is known for its gun-making industry.

Orda failed to presently any license to possess and pertinent documents for the firearm.

He did not also justify the need for him to carry a firearm, except that he allegedly owns a furniture shop in Pavia town.

Orda is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act).