By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 61-year-old farmer was arrested on Nov. 29 during a raid at his home in Barangay Igdampog Sur, Tubungan, Iloilo, for alleged possession of illegal firearms.
The suspect, Renato Tagun, was apprehended after authorities executed Search Warrant 18-2024 issued by Executive Judge Irene Banzuelo-Didulo of RTC-6 Branch 67 in Guimbal, Iloilo.
Members of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station, the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the PIT-Iloilo carried out the operation.
Police seized a cache of firearms, including two airgun rifles, a .22 airgun rifle, two loaded .37-caliber revolvers, a .38-caliber revolver body, two .38-caliber revolver bullets, a break-type .40-caliber handgun, a .22 Magnum revolver with four bullets, a .22-caliber revolver barrel, and parts and ammunition for a 12-gauge shotgun.
In addition, various tools such as a sander, electric drill, welding machine, and other equipment were recovered during the raid.
Lieutenant Eric Niel Goniabo, Tubungan deputy police chief, stated that the operation stemmed from reports alleging that Tagun was involved in the repair and conversion of firearms.
However, Goniabo noted that Tagun had no prior criminal record or any complaints filed against him at the barangay level for illegal firearm use.
“He was just known in the village for fixing guns,” Goniabo said.
Charges for violating Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, are set to be filed against Tagun on Monday, Dec. 2.
