Pals fall in Iloilo gun raid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Two friends and neighbors were arrested in simultaneous firearm raids in Balasan, Iloilo Saturday morning.

The 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and Balasan Police Station swooped down on the houses of Vicente Castañeda, 59, and Benjamin Icaca, at Barangay Lawis, Balasan.

The team led by Lieutenant George Caño searched Castañeda’s home by virtue of Search Warrant No. 2020-20 issued by Judge Oscar Leo Billena of the Iloilo Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 71.

Recovered at Castañeda’s abode were a KG-9 Luger .9mm pistol (serial number 378102) with a magazine loaded with 11 ammunition; a homemade pistol-type 12-guage shotgun loaded with one ammunition and another four extra ammunition; and a hand grenade.

Meanwhile, the 2nd IPMFC team led by Captain Samuel Vipinosa scoured Icaca’s house on the strength of Search Warrant No. 2020-19.

Seized from Icaca’s house were a Colt automatic caliber .45 pistol (serial number 12559) and a magazine; brown holster; a caliber 5.56 Elisco M16 A1 rifle (serial number RP057518) loaded with live ammunitions; a magazine for caliber 5.56 and 18 ammunitions; and a fragmentation grenade.

Vipinosa said they raided the suspects’ houses following reports that they indiscriminately fired their guns.

Some people claimed they felt threatened by the duo.

The two used to work as fishpond caretakers.

Meanwhile, Vipinosa said they are now checking with the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU6) at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City if the guns’ serial numbers are not tampered.

If not, Vipinosa said they would know the registered owners of the guns.

The two suspects are now detained and will be charged for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9516 illegal possession of explosives.