Authorities in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, arrested a 54-year-old barangay chairman, identified by the alias “Gar,” on July 17 following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and a hand grenade at his residence. The arrest, executed under a court-issued search warrant, is part of a broader regional effort to curb the proliferation of loose firearms and illegal explosives.
Evidence Seized During Victorias City Operation
The operation was conducted by the Victorias City Police Station in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion. According to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), the search of the official’s home yielded a caliber .22 revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition. Additionally, officers recovered 63 additional rounds of caliber .22 ammunition and a hand grenade.
The raid followed reports from a concerned citizen alleging that the village official was in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Police surveillance confirmed the suspect did not hold a license for the weapon, leading to the court-issued warrant.
Legal Consequences and Regional Security Implications
The suspect now faces criminal charges for alleged violations of two primary national laws: Republic Act (RA) No. 10591, which governs the regulation of firearms and ammunition, and RA No. 9516, which mandates penalties for the illegal possession and manufacture of explosives. The suspect remains in custody at the Victorias City Police Station as criminal charges are being prepared against him.
Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of PRO-NIR, stated that the recovery of the weapons serves as an example of the force’s commitment to neutralizing potential community threats. “PRO-NIR will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and ensure that individuals who violate our firearms and explosives laws are held accountable,” Cardiño said.
Future Enforcement Under the SAFE NIR Program
PRO-NIR officials indicated that they will continue to prioritize intelligence gathering and enforcement under the SAFE NIR program. This initiative is designed to curb the presence of loose firearms and illegal explosives across the Negros Island Region.