DUMAGUETE CITY -- A joint team of law enforcers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental and in Region 7 has seized a cache of firearms and ammunition from a resident of Canlaon City in the northern part of Negros Oriental.
The police identified the suspect as Ariston Labandero Barquio, 56, married, and a resident of Sitio Canoque, Barangay Binalbagan in Canlaon City.
The joint operation was composed of personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 7, the Regional Intelligence Unit in Region 7, the RMFC7, the 704th Company, the Provincial Intelligence Bureau of the Negros Oriental PNP Provincial Office, and the Canlaon City Police Station, led by Supt. Wilfredo Alarcon, Jr.
They served the search warrant against the suspect around 10 a.m. on Thursday at his residence in Barangay Binalbagan.
Judge Mario O. Trinidad, the presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in nearby Guihulngan City, issued the search warrant.
During the search, the law enforcers seized one homemade shotgun, one piece of magazine for a homemade shotgun, 12 pieces of live ammunition for a 12-gauge shotgun, one unit homemade shotgun (locally known as sulpak), six pieces of 20-gauge shotgun live ammunition, one unit Smith and Wesson caliber .357 revolver without a serial number, 15 pieces of live ammunition for caliber .357, 10 pieces of live ammunition for caliber .38, and five empty shells for caliber .38.
Barangay councilmen Jessrell Demafelis and Eleseo Tejares witnessed the search and inventory of the items seized.
The suspect is now detained at the Canlaon Police Station pending the filing of charges against him. (PNA)
