Camp Vicente Lim , Calamba City- REGIONAL Highway Patrol Unit 4A, under the supervision of Regional Chief RHPU4A, PCol Rommel C Estolano , successfully carried out Comelec Gun Ban operations that resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Personnel of the Motorcycle Section PCMS Jonathan Jopia, under the direct supervision of PMaj Jeffrey T Norte turned over to the investigation section of this unit the arrested suspect for viol of RA 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Act) in Relation to Comelec Resolution No. 10918 (Comelec Gun Ban) and the confiscated articles from the possession of the latter.
PCMS Jonathan Jopia, while rendering official duty along the national highway, Brgy Pinagtungulan, San Jose, Batangas, noticed and apprehended a Motorcycle, one (1) unit of Suzuki FJ110, Black with PN 8179WN while being driven by the above-named suspect for an initial violation of driving without helmet and reckless driving (counterflow). When accosted, the suspect was asked to produce his driver’s license and the OR/CR of the motorcycle. However, as the suspect reached for his documents inside his sling bag, the apprehending observed in plain view sight an unknown caliber firearm inside the same bag and seized it immediately.
PCMS Jopia executed the arrest and apprised him of his constitutional rights as well as his rights under RA 9745 or the (Anti-Torture Act of 2009). An alternative Recording Device (ARD) was also correctly used during the conduct of the arrest.
The suspect and confiscated articles were immediately brought to RHPU4A office for investigation and proper disposition. Upon inspection of the confiscated FA, it was also discovered that the FA was chamber loaded with .45 ammunition and had more than five (5) Magazines, each containing seven (7) pieces of .45 ammunition upon thorough inspection of the sling bag.
The arrested person presented a Firearms license and License to own and possess a firearm (LTOPF) during his arrest. Assuming the suspect presented a Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) will not exonerate him for violations of Comelec Resolution No. 10918 which prohibits gun owners from carrying firearms outside residence or place of business and in all public places. The use of bodyguards during the gun ban period and the employment use or availing of the services of security guards personnel is not allowed. Permits to Carry guns outside residence are also temporarily suspended unless the Comelec gives an exemption.
The successful arrest of the suspect is a significant accomplishment for RHPU4A, which shows a testament to the unit’s commitment to support Comelec Gun Ban in relation to BSKE 2023 through the leadership of PBGen Alan Nazarro , Director of the Highway Patrol Group, in line with the thrust of the CPNP’s strategy of implementing aggressive and honest law enforcement measures to combat carnapping, highway robbery, and other forms of criminality along the highways.
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