NBI Capiz probes volunteer over alleged unlicensed gun

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The National Bureau of Investigation-Capiz Provincial Office (NBI-CapDO) will conduct a separate investigation into a volunteer who was arrested by traffic enforcers and police at noon Monday, July 13, in Barangay Lawaan for allegedly possessing an unlicensed firearm.

Agent John Katipunan, NBI-CapDO executive officer, told the media Tuesday, July 14, that the office will investigate Victorino Gilbaliga Jr., alias “Jabar,” following his arrest.

Katipunan said Gilbaliga alleged that personnel of the Traffic Management Unit (TMU) harassed him when they apprehended him for allegedly operating a “colorum,” or unauthorized, tricycle.

Traffic enforcers later recovered a .45-caliber pistol, 14 rounds of live ammunition, and two magazines from Gilbaliga’s sling bag, according to Katipunan.

Authorities said Gilbaliga could not present licenses or permits for the firearm and ammunition when asked.

Katipunan confirmed that Gilbaliga has worked with NBI-CapDO as a volunteer night watchman for about two years after initially helping two cousins who were job order employees at the agency.

He said Gilbaliga began serving as a volunteer night watchman and daytime driver for the agency after one of his cousins resigned.

“As far as I know, Jabar has a tricycle which he used to bring and fetch his children wherever they go,” Katipunan said.

Katipunan added that the agency had allowed the night watchman to use a standby long firearm in emergencies and for the defense of the office.

He said he had no knowledge of the handgun recovered from Gilbaliga but had received information that the volunteer was applying for a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) together with other operatives.

Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, governs the licensing, ownership, possession, and registration of firearms in the Philippines. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Katipunan described Gilbaliga’s apprehension as an incidental lawful arrest that the volunteer must face.

Meanwhile, Katipunan said Gilbaliga could file countercharges against those who arrested him, arguing that the TMU was not authorized to conduct an “Operation Bakal” and that the plain-view doctrine should apply to the firearm’s seizure.

Katipunan stressed that Gilbaliga had no adverse personal record and that the agency would not accept volunteers linked to irregularities.

Based on closed-circuit television footage secured by NBI-CapDO, a traffic enforcer appeared to point the firearm recovered from Gilbaliga’s sling bag at him, according to the agency.

On the other hand, a woman identified only as “Inday,” who said she was Gilbaliga’s niece, disputed the police account.

She alleged that a traffic enforcer harassed her uncle, took the firearm from his sling bag, and pointed it at him.

Inday said she was a passenger in the tricycle when the traffic enforcer apprehended her uncle.

Construction worker wanted for theft arrested in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A construction worker wanted on a theft charge was arrested by police Tuesday afternoon, July 14, in Barangay Salocon, Panitan, Capiz.

Police identified the suspect only by the alias “Dodong,” 28, a resident of the area.

The warrant of arrest was issued by Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 124 in Las Piñas City on May 21, 2026. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

The court set bail at PHP 10,000 for his temporary release.

The suspect was placed under the custody of the Panitan Municipal Police Station and will be turned over to the court of origin.

Meanwhile, a regional-level most wanted person in Capiz who was also wanted in Police Regional Office 4A in Calabarzon was arrested Sunday evening, July 12, after officers from the Pilar Municipal Police Station served a warrant in Barangay San Esteban, Pilar, Capiz, at 6:33 p.m.

Police identified the suspect only by the alias “Nonoy,” 45, a farmer and resident of the area.

Information from the Pilar police showed that the suspect is facing four counts of violating Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and four counts of rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.

Republic Act No. 7610 provides special protection against child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, while Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code defines the crime of rape. (Lawphil)

The warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Flordeliz Cabanlit Fargas of Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

The court set bail at PHP 200,000 for each of the four counts under Republic Act No. 7610, while no bail was recommended for the four rape counts.

The suspect is under the custody of the Pilar Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and court referral and will be turned over to the court of origin.