Pontevedra village chief arrested over alleged illegal firearms

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — An incumbent barangay captain in Pontevedra, Capiz, was arrested Tuesday after authorities said they recovered three firearms and live ammunition during the implementation of a search warrant at his house in Sitio Ilongbukid, Barangay San Pedro.

Police identified the suspect as Barangay San Pedro chief Roger Deluso y Clarisa, 59, a widower and resident of the area.

The operation was part of Oplan Paglalansag Omega and was led by Police Maj. Andre Angeles, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Capiz Provincial Field Unit, in coordination with the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station, PIT Capiz-RIU6, and Capiz Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Authorities implemented Search Warrant No. 39-2026 for an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which regulates the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in, and importation of firearms and ammunition.

The warrant was issued Sept. 21, 2026, by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Lorencito B. Diaz of Branch 17 in Roxas City.

Police said they recovered a black .45-caliber Para-Ordnance pistol with serial No. 657191, two steel magazines for a .45-caliber pistol, and 16 live rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.

Authorities also seized a black .38-caliber revolver with serial No. 54500 and a 12-gauge homemade shotgun without a serial number.

Police further recovered one steel magazine for the 12-gauge homemade shotgun, a camouflage holster, and a brown Lacoste sling bag allegedly used to carry the .45-caliber pistol, magazine, and ammunition.

Police said the search was conducted peacefully in the presence of Barangay San Pedro councilors Geraldine D. Deluso and Romualdo D. Barrogo.

Operatives informed the suspect of his constitutional rights and the anti-torture warning.

Authorities said commercial-grade Boblov body-worn cameras were used during the operation in line with Supreme Court A.M. No. 21-06-08-SC, or the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants.

The Supreme Court rules apply to the execution of arrest and search warrants and provide for the use of body-worn cameras or qualifying alternative recording devices during law enforcement operations.

The search and seizure operation was completed at about 6:22 a.m. Tuesday.

Deluso and the recovered items were brought to the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station for recording.

He was later placed under the custody of the CIDG-Capiz Provincial Field Unit for documentation and proper disposition as authorities prepared appropriate charges against him.