NBI confirms arrested tricycle driver is volunteer watchman

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A tricycle driver arrested for allegedly carrying an unlicensed firearm is a volunteer night watchman at the National Bureau of Investigation-Capiz District Office.

NBI-Capiz District Office Executive Officer John Katipunan confirmed that alias “Jabar” works as a volunteer night watchman for the agency.

Katipunan said he had no knowledge of the firearm and ammunition allegedly recovered from Jabar by a traffic enforcer and police.

He said the NBI issues Jabar a service firearm when he reports for nighttime duty under the agency’s jurisdiction and requires him to return it after his shift.

Katipunan said Jabar works during the day for the management of Pueblo de Panay and only occasionally drives a tricycle.

He said the NBI conducts background checks on volunteers before accepting them into the agency.

Jabar has served as a volunteer at the NBI-Capiz District Office for two years, Katipunan said.

Katipunan said the firearm allegedly recovered from Jabar was his personal weapon and was not issued by the NBI.

Police arrested Jabar around noon Monday, July 13, after he was allegedly found carrying an unlicensed firearm while driving a colorum, or unfranchised, tricycle in Barangay Lawaan.

An initial police investigation showed that a traffic auxiliary stopped the suspect for allegedly operating a tricycle without a franchise.

Police said the suspect denied the allegation and attempted to retrieve a document from his sling bag.

As he reached into the bag, a .45-caliber pistol, two magazines, and 14 live rounds fell to the ground, according to police.

The traffic auxiliary then sought police assistance, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

However, alias “Inday,” who identified herself as the suspect’s niece, disputed the police account.

She alleged that the 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.

Under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as amended by Republic Act 11766, qualified gun owners must comply with legal requirements for carrying firearms outside their residence or place of business.

The suspect remained in the custody of the Roxas City Police Station pending proper disposition of the case.

Roxas City Police Station chief Lt. Col. Rogelio L. Tomagtang Jr. said Tuesday, July 14, that a case for violation of Republic Act 10591 would be filed against Jabar.

Tomagtang said the confiscated firearm would undergo ballistic examination to determine whether it had been used in other crimes.