A 40-YEAR-OLD construction worker was arrested for selling an unlicensed firearm during an entrapment operation led by the City Intelligence Unit of the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) in a subdivision in Barangay Dungon C, Mandurriao, Iloilo City on the evening of June 2, 2025.
Police Colonel Kim Legada, director of Icpo, commended the swift action of his team and emphasized their dedication to combatting illegal firearms in the city.
“This arrest sends a clear message: the illegal sale of firearms will not be tolerated. In line with the leadership direction of our Chief PNP, Police General Nicolas D Torre III — ‘Ang batas ay patas, ang serbisyo ay mabilis, at ang kapulisan ay karapat-dapat ng tiwala ng mamamayan’ — we are committed to safeguarding our communities from threats that undermine peace and order,” Legada said.
The suspect, identified alias Angel, male, and a resident of Barangay Dungon C, was arrested at 7:38 p.m. by operatives from the Icpo’s City Intelligence Unit, led by Police Captain Melchor Tolentino under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Dante Tayco, chief of CIU.
The arrest was made for violations of Republic Act (RA) 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
Seized from the suspect were one Hi-Point Model C 9mm pistol, one magazine, four live bullets, and the marked buy-bust money.
The confiscated firearm and ammunition were forwarded to the Iloilo City Forensic Unit 6 for ballistic examination.
Angel is currently held at the Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 5 custodial facility pending the filing of formal charges.
In a separate operation, the Icpo also arrested the sixth most wanted person (MWP) in Western Visayas, a 61-year-old jobless man identified as alias Edgar in Barangay Inangayan, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, at 3:43 p.m. on June 3, 2025.
The warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Regina Centenera Galang-Guarin of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 30, Iloilo City, for the crime of Acts of Lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(B) of RA 7610, as amended by RA 111648. The court recommended bail of P200,000.
Legada praised the operating units for their professionalism.
“This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to ensure that fugitives will have no safe haven in Iloilo City and nearby areas. Let this serve as a warning to those evading justice -- your day of reckoning will come,” he said.
The arrest of the most wanted suspect was carried out by personnel of the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company with support from ICPS 3, the City Intelligence Unit, and the Regional Intelligence Unit in Western Visayas.
The suspect is now in the custody of ICPS 3 and will be turned over to the issuing court after proper documentation.
The Icpo, a unit under the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information about criminal activities or wanted individuals through its hotline numbers 0908-377-0194 or (033) 335-0299. (Leo Solinap)