2 suspects for illegal possession of firearms arrested
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Two suspects of illegal possession of firearms were arrested by operatives of Libacao police station on Monday.

PO2 Nida Gregas, Information Officer of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO), said the suspects identified as Glady Zaballero and Richard Zapico, both of Barangay Ogsip, Libacao, Aklan were apprehended while riding on board a motorcyle at around 4 p.m.

Confiscated in Zaballero's possession and custody was one caliber 9mm Ingram loaded with five ammunitions and a magazine with 15 live ammunitions.

Police authorities led by Libacao officer-in-charge Inspector Antonio Navarra also found another Ingram from Zapico with magazine loaded with ten ammunitions tucked on his waistline.

After the arrest in Barangay Ogsip, the two suspects were placed under the custody of Libacao police station. They were detained at the Aklan Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Pook, this town, following the inquest proceedings by the Provincial Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday morning for illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act No. 8294.

Gregas said they failed to present any documents to show legality of said firearms.

Earlier, acting police director Senior Superintendent Cornelio Defensor directed the local police stations to implement the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) to enhance the intensified campaign of APPO against criminals.

As this developed, an estimated 1,110,372 loose firearms are in the hands of private armies, according to a study of Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies.

Of the total loose firearms all over the country, Western Visayas accounts for 52,759 of the loose firearms.