By Jennifer P. Rendon
A laborer was arrested during a firearm raid early March 27 in Bingawan, Iloilo.
The suspect, identified only as alias Excel, 27, was roused from sleep when police raided his home in Zone 5, Barangay Alabidhan, at 3:16 a.m. Thursday.
Officers from the Bingawan Municipal Police Station searched the residence under Search Warrant No. 25-06 for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
The search warrant was issued March 20, 2025, by Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court Branch 76 in Janiuay, Iloilo.
Recovered during the operation were a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with nine rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade, and a black sling bag.
Lt. Philip Girao, Bingawan police chief, said the raid stemmed from multiple complaints against the suspect.
Several residents and even barangay officials said the suspect often acted unruly when drunk.
Barangay tanods were reportedly hesitant to respond to incidents involving him, fearing he might be armed.
“So, they called us for police assistance,” Girao said.
He said he personally responded to a request from Excel’s wife for help.
“Naga-maoy si Excel. Pero naga-ayo iya asawa nga indi gid daw pagsakiton iya bana maski naga-maoy,” Girao said, quoting the wife’s plea not to harm her husband even in a drunken rage.
He added that the suspect once threatened to throw a grenade while intoxicated.
Girao said the suspect had no previous criminal record.
Excel is now in police custody and will face charges for violating RA 10591 and RA 9516, or the illegal possession of explosives.