6 men nabbed for illegal possession of firearms in Kalinga

AURORA, Isabela, Philippines – Six Kalinga residents were arrested on Friday, April 26, after being caught illegally possessing six handguns, a hand grenade, and assorted ammunition in Barangay Ballesteros in this town, police said.

Acting on complaints about strange men wandering around with guns tucked in their waistbands, the police accosted Roger Buccasan, Dario Balaybay, Pio Banay, Heartwin Banna, Eddie Bannao, Jacob Lummayog, and Jayson Sorad — all from the Kalinga town of Tanudan.

They were caught in an abandoned house, owned by deceased Ballesteros Barangay Chairman Carlito Molina. They could not produce licenses and permits to carry four .45-caliber Remington pistols, two .38-caliber revolvers and a grenade.

The suspects face charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and for violating the midterm election gun ban.

/atm