A MAN who claimed to be an escort of a politician was arrested during the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) event in Mandaue City on Thursday morning, March 21.

The suspect was identified as Nelson Encabo Lim, who hails from Sitio Cabag-o, Barangay Cogon, City of Naga.

Seized from Lim were a .45 pistol loaded with seven bullets and an identification card that said he was a member of the R7 Unified Marshal.

Mandaue City Police Office Director Julian Entoma said they will examine the firearm to determine whether it was used in past shooting incidents.

SPO3 Renato Canja, desk officer of Centro Police Station, said a police officer noticed Lim near the entrance of the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The police officer then inspected Lim’s sling bag and found the firearm.

Canja said Lim failed to present a gun license and he did not mention the name of the politician he was escorting at the time.

For his part, Lim said he volunteered as part of the civilian security team, which is called by the police as “force multiplier.” He said his main livelihood was sifting sand in his home village.

He denied he had plans to hurt any person in the event, which was attended by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the HNP head.

On Thursday afternoon, he was charged with illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban before the city prosecutor’s office.

Canja said they would check the background of the suspect, who has no pending cases in Mandaue City. (from FMD of Super Balita Cebu, KAL)