By Jennifer P. Rendon
A village councilman was arrested during a firearm search and seizure operation morning of Dec 18, 2020 in Anilao, Iloilo.
Police identified the suspect as Barangay Kagawad Melbert Sajo, 37, a resident of Sitio Inadlawan, Barangay Cag-an. Anilao.
The raid was authorized by Search Warrant No. 2020-25 issued by Executive Judge Oscar Leo Billena of the Regional Trial Court Branch 70 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Lieutenant Glen Portunes, Anilao police chief, said they received information that Sajo had been illegally discharging his firearm, especially when he is drunk.
They later found out that Sajo did not have a licensed gun to his name.
Police seized the suspect’s sling bag containing a caliber .45 pistol (Taurus 1911) with one magazine and seven ammunitions, and 26 fired cartridges.
Prior to the search, Portunes said they discovered that Sajo, who also worked in a poultry farm owned by San Miguel Corp., has a pending arrest warrant for murder.
He claimed that the case was already dismissed but failed to present a court order.
Sajo is now detained at Anilao Police Station pending the filing of charges against him.
