By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A barangay kagawad was arrested Saturday night, April 12, for firing a gun during a benefit dance in Barangay Carataya, Cuartero, Capiz — adding to the list of gun ban violators in the province.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Tom,” 46, a criminology graduate and resident of the said barangay.
According to reports from the Cuartero Municipal Police Station, the kagawad was inside the dance hall when he suddenly drew a firearm and fired several shots into the air.
Police officers, who were conducting visibility patrols at the event, immediately apprehended the suspect.
Recovered from his possession was a caliber .45 pistol with a magazine and four spent shells of the same caliber.
The suspect failed to show legal documents for the firearm.
He now faces charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10918, which enforces the nationwide gun ban.
He is currently in the custody of the Cuartero police for proper disposition.
Initial reports stated that the kagawad allegedly became angry after his name was not announced over the microphone during the activity.
