BACOLOD CITY -- A village councilor in Talisay City, Negros Occidental was arrested by police operatives at his residence on Tuesday morning for allegedly possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The suspect was identified as Romulo Banhao Jr., 55, number one council member and former barangay chairman of San Fernando.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) Director, Col. Romeo Baleros, said they had sought a search warrant from the court after they confirmed that Banhao’s licenses for his firearms has not been renewed.
The operatives seized a caliber .45 pistol with five magazines and 79 pieces of live ammunition, as well as a KG9 submachine gun with two magazines during the raid in the village official’s house in Purok Langka.
“We acted on the report that he is possessing unregistered firearms. The NOCPPO checked with the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, and it turned out that is he possessing several registered firearms, but (some have) unrenewed license,” Baleros said.
The search warrant, issued by Executive Judge Estefanio Libutan Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 50 in Bacolod City, was served by joint personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, 1st Company of the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Talisay City Police Station.
Banhao, who was placed in the custody of the Talisay City police, said in a radio interview that the renewal papers for his two firearms are pending since the Commission on Elections gun ban is still in effect.
He added that he is a law-abiding citizen and uses his firearms to defend his community and also to protect his family. (PNA)