Village councilman nabbed for loose guns

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A village councilman was arrested for possessing unlicensed firearms through a search warrant at Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Tuesday morning. 

Police identified the suspect as Romulo Banhao Jr.

Regional Trial Court Branch 50 Judge Estefanio Libutan Jr. issued the warrant that led to the police raid on Banhao’s house at around 7:40 a.m.

Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said they conducted the operation after receiving reports on the suspect’s alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The operation was conducted by joint operatives of the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the Talisay City Police Station.

Police recovered from Banhao a .45-caliber pistol, a KG9 submachine gun, five magazines, 66 pieces of assorted live ammunition, 13 pieces of .45-caliber ammunition, and two magazines of the KG9 submachine gun.

Banhao is detained at the police station.