Lawyer faces rap over guns seized in vehicle, Davao City home

DAVAO CITY -- Police authorities are set to file charges against a lady lawyer who was arrested with several firearms during a raid at her residence in Solariega Plantacion in Talomo, this city, on Saturday.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 chief Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales said Sunday that a criminal case will be filed against lawyer Sitti Gilda Mahinay Sapie for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

Morales said Sapie was the subject of the search warrant issued by a regional court that was implemented by the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Mobile Force Battalion in coordination with Talomo Police Station.

Operatives searched the house of Sapie including her vehicles -- a black Mazda pick-up with LAB 9287 license plate numbers and black Toyota Fortuner with A7H023 conduction stickers.

Operatives recovered during the operation one unit Beretta 9mm without serial number together with one magazine containing 14 pieces live ammo, one inside the holster and one underarm holster.

They also recovered from one of the vehicles a Colt MK IV Officers ACP 9mm pistol with SN 497345 chamber loaded with one live ammunition, one inserted magazine with eight live ammunition, one holster and five magazines with 29 live ammunitions of 9mm, and two magazine pouches.

Morales said the incident should serve as a stern warning to all that "we are dead serious in conducting an intensified drive against loose firearms".

"Whether you are famous or not, rich or poor, once violated, we will hunt you down. We must restore trust and confidence of the people in the capacities of the government," Morales said. (PNA)