By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 27-year-old laborer was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm early morning of Nov 14, 2022 in Sibalom, Antique.
Worse, the gun seized from Caven Esposo of District lV, Sibalom, was issued to a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer.
The incident occurred after the Sibalom Municipal Police Station received a phone call of a commotion at a 24-hour bakery in District III around 2:45 a.m. on Monday.
The fracas involved Esposo and his friend against a group of six persons.
The suspect and his friend allegedly went to the bakery but had an argument with the group.
At the height of their verbal tussle, Esposo’s companion allegedly took a bottle and struck one of the six men.
Lieutenant Harry Jhun Amar, Sibalom deputy police chief, said Esposo pulled out the gun to prevent the group from further attacking them.
“They were clearly outnumbered. Body-built wise, they are also no match against the six men,” Amar said.
When responding policemen arrived, the suspect was arrested and yielded a Glock 17 caliber .9mm pistol without a magazine (serial number PNP61171).
The gun was later found to have been issued to Master Sergeant Melvin Train, a member of the Regional Communications and Electronics Unit based at Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.
Train, a resident of District II, Sibalom, reported on the afternoon of Nov 14 to Sibalom PNP that his gun was stolen.
He theorized that Esposo could have taken his sling bag containing his pistol.
Train said that he had his perimeter fence done by a carpenter on Sunday.
When the carpenter finished his work, they drank liquor along with his wife and Esposo, who served as their errand boy.
They finished their drinking spree at 12am on Monday.
Train claimed Esposo could have taken his sling bag placed on the cabinet.
It was surmised that Esposo didn’t go home and went to the bakery where he figured in a commotion.
Following his arrest, Esposo would be charged with theft and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act).
