Regional court orders release of bond in gun ban raps

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the release of a cash bond posted by the first man arrested for violating Davao City's gun ban in August this year after his case was dismissed.

RTC Branch 14 Judge George Omelio directed that the P40,000 cash bond posted by Gerry Amadore E. Paller be released in favor of his counsels, lawyers Gerry Patalinghug and Alejandro Cobol.

Paller was the first man arrested when the city implemented the localized gun ban in observance of the Kadayawan this year.

The court dismissed the case for "lack of jurisdiction", citing that the case should have been filed before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities and not before the RTC.

Omelio said Paller should be charged with violation of the localized gun ban instead of the illegal possession of firearms.

Police Director General Nicanor Bartlolome signed a memorandum on July 16 for the suspension of permit to carry firearms from August1-31 in line with the celebration of Kadayawan Festival.

Prosecutor Oliver Saniel found probable cause to charge Paller based on the complaints of the police authority.

Court records showed that the suspect was arrested at the checkpoint conducted by the Task Force Davao in Barangay Sirawan, Toril afternoon of August 1, the first day of the ban.

He was only able to present a firearm license and the letter order with identification card issued by Regional Intelligence Unit of the Police Regional Office, but no ban exemption.

Paller was released from jail after he posted bail before the sala of Judge Evalyn Morales.

Morales granted the petition of the respondent to post bail. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)