By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two men who are employed as company checkers were arrested in a checkpoint evening of May 3, 2021 in San Rafael, Iloilo.
Joven Bascoguin, 41, of Barangay Antonio, Sara, Iloilo and Enrico Patna, 47, of Barangay Mulawon, Concepcion, Iloilo were caught possessing guns when they tried to pass through a checkpoint at Barangay Bagacay, San Rafael around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Lieutenant Mary Jane Panes, San Rafael police chief, said the duo yielded two caliber .9mm pistols (KG 99), four magazines and a silencer for KG 99, 38 live ammunition, a caliber .45 magazine loaded with five ammunition, and a bulletproof vest.
Panes said they set up the random checkpoint in consonance with the PNP’s OPLAN Hillway Dalan and OPLAN Bakal.
“Vehicles slowly passed by our checkpoint until we saw this pick-up that stopped several meters away. It did not move or turn back. Medyo nag-duda na kami,” she said.
Police officers in the area were already eyeing the vehicle for its next move.
Around 20 minutes later, the Nissan Frontier pick-up edged through the checkpoint and rolled down its window.
Panes said policemen immediately saw a caliber .9mm pistol placed near the vehicle’s hand brake.
Panes said they asked for the documents for their guns but the duo could not present anything.
A further check led to the discovery of a gun in a sling bag.
Bascoguin and Patna presented an identification card that they are employed by Unitech Construction Supply, a subcontractor of Woodland Construction.
They came from Pototan town and were on their way to Sara.
Bascoquin said he was in possession of the firearm as he has been receiving threats from the New People’s Army (NPA).
He claimed that he personally received an extortion letter from the NPA where he was asked to pay for revolutionary taxes.
Panes said a check was made on Bascoguin and Patna.
“They don’t have any police record, based on the initial investigation we did,” she said.
The two suspects are now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act).
