Gamefowl farm owner nabbed in gun raid

AN owner of a gamefowl farm was arrested after a firearm raid early morning of Feb 9, 2019 at Barangay Lagubang, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Jun Patiu, 49, of Zone 1, Barangay Cabilauan, Barotac Nuevo, yielded firearms and ammunition during the police search operation.

Members of Barotac Nuevo Police Station seized a caliber .45 Colt pistol (serial number 793618), 2 magazines and 14 ammunition for caliber .45 pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a live cartridge for a 12-gauge shotgun.

Senior Inspector Kent Albert Lepsia, Barotac Nuevo police chief, said they have been receiving reports that Patiu was keeping unlicensed firearms.

Lepsia said intelligence monitoring confirmed that Patiu was in possession of the two unlicensed guns.

Meanwhile, Patiu claimed that he bought the firearms for self-defense purposes.

He said the guns were intended for farm intruders, given the reported theft incidents in the area.

Patiu, who hails from Pampanga, married a Barotac Nuevo resident.

Together with his brother, they put up a gamefowl farm.

Patiu is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).