Two men fall in separate gun raids in Iloilo

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two men who allegedly kept unlicensed firearms were arrested in separate police operations in Iloilo province morning of Feb. 10.

Police identified the suspect as Gilbert Legayada, of Barangay Quiling, Lambunao, and Norman Fernandez, 61, a farmer from Barangay Bongco, Pototan.

Legayada, Quiling’s former barangay, was arrested at 5:20 a.m. on Saturday by virtue of Search Warrant Numbers 24-05 and 24-06.

Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 76, Janiuay, Iloilo issued the search warrant on Feb. 8, 2024.

Personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RFMB) 6’s 602nd Company, together with other law enforcement agencies carried out the operation against the suspect.

Recovered were a caliber .45 cal. pistol without serial number, a magazine and five ammunition for caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, a holster, a magazine for M14 armalite rifle, and assorted ammunition for different caliber of firearms.

Meanwhile, Fernandez, a farmer, was arrested at 6:30 a.m. following a search and seizure at his home.

Members of Pototan Municipal Police Station swooped down on the elderly man’s house by virtue of Search Warrant No. 24-247.

Judge Vicente Go Regional Trial Court (RTC) 6, Branch 68, Dumangas, Iloilo, issued the search on Feb. 7, 2024.

Recovered from the suspect’s abode was a homemade 12-gauge shotgun.

Residents reported the farmer for alleged indiscriminate firing of his gun, especially when he was under the influence of liquor.

Both suspects are now detained and will be charged with Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Legayada will also face a case for violation of RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosive.