By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 62-year-old man who was initially apprehended for not wearing a face mask in a public place later yielded a handgun.
Police confronted Welfredo Belandres of Barangay Palaypay, Anilao, Iloilo as he was not wearing a mask at the Anilao Public Market in Barangay Poblacion around 10:25 a.m. of Aug 23, 2020.
Police Corporals Ernie Paquiao and Alvin Gantala claimed that Belandres ignored their admonition, thus they arrested the latter.
He was bodily frisked and a caliber .45 Colt pistol (serial number 531222) with two magazines loaded with 15 ammunition was later found in his sling bag.
The suspect will be charged for violating the health protocol relative to COVID-19, disobedience to a person in authority, and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
