Roxas councilor faces threats, gun charges

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Cases for grave threats and illegal possession of firearms were filed against a former punong barangay and incumbent village councilor of Barangay 7 here.

Lt. Col. Rogelio L. Tomagtang Jr., officer-in-charge of the Roxas City Police Station, said charges for grave threats and violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, were filed against Rolando Luda.

Republic Act 10591 regulates the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, sale, and registration of firearms and ammunition in the Philippines.

Tomagtang said the complainant went to the police station to file charges against the official.

Luda denied threatening a female neighbor and carrying a long firearm while walking around his property recently.

In a media interview Sunday, June 7, Luda said the item he carried in a video that went viral on social media was a toy gun.

He said he carried the toy gun to scare people who wanted to create trouble in the area.

Luda said the incident stemmed from the alleged destruction of a house he bought from a neighbor.

He said he wanted to confront the individuals who allegedly caused trouble in the village.

“As a village official, I don’t want to tolerate somebody to create trouble in our place,” he told the media.

Luda said he is ready to face any legal action that may be filed against him.

The Roxas City Police Station is investigating Luda after a video showing him carrying what appeared to be an unidentified long firearm went viral on social media.

Tomagtang said police immediately tried to locate Luda, the complainant, and the person who uploaded the video.

Police said they failed to locate Luda and the firearm he allegedly carried.

Tomagtang said police are coordinating with the Regional Civil Security Unit in Western Visayas to verify whether the firearm is covered by a License to Own and Possess Firearms under Luda’s name.

“We are currently gathering evidence against Luda,” the police chief said.

Police investigators said a failed settlement over a land dispute between Luda and resident Lorlyn Distor at the barangay hall could have been the motive for Luda’s alleged act of carrying a long firearm.

Punong Barangay Nilo Diestro said Luda and Distor went to the barangay hall to settle the dispute.

Diestro said Luda, a former village chief of Barangay 7, did not agree to the condition presented by Distor.