American father ready to sue Byron for brandishing assault rifle

The American businessman who faced off an angry brother of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia  said he would file charges against the man who  brandished an AK-47 assault rifle at him in a flareup over  road barriers  outside the foreigner’s house in Talisay City.

Wayne Morris, 56, said he didnt’ know the armed man who “acted like a bully” was Byron Garcia, a former Capitol security consultant, until after the Sunday encounter.

“He’s bullied us and tried to be a dictator,” Morris told Cebu Daily News yesterday.

The two men argued heatedly about 8 a.m. Sunday over three metal barriers with  “Slow Down” signs put up by Morris on the street where he lives.

Morris,  who  moved in two weeks ago,  said  he had the signs put up after his 2-year two-year-old daughter was almost run down by a speeding car in Corona del Mar, barangay Pooc, Talisay City.

He said the signs were delivered to him at his request by  Filinvest, the subdivision developer.

Morris said he conferred  with lawyers of Filinvest yesterday  and filed a report with the Talisay City police.

“I feel reluctant about filing a case but Filinvest  told me that they will support me,” Morris said.

Moris said he would file charges of harassment, disturbing the peace and carrying an illegal weapon.

In Byron’s  account, the American insulted him  when he came over to remove the road barriers, and that Morris told him he was a “nobody”.

Byron  said he replied, “I am a nobody but I have this,” and pulled out an AK-47 assault rifle from his pickup to show he was not intimidated.

The governor’s brother said he was the president of the homeowners association of the subdivision, and that he was acting on the complaint of some residents  about the road barrier.

Although Byron  said he had papers for his rifle, the PNP  Firearms Explosives Security Guards and Agencies Supervisory Section (FESAGSS) said  that as a civilian, he  isn’t authorized to carry an AK-47 rifle.

Supt. Rex Derilo, FESAGSS chief, yesterday told reporters that the PNP doesn’t issue a permit to carry for long firearms to civilians, especially a powerful assault rifle.

Exceptions to the rule are governors, judges and government officials in executive department, he said.

Derilo said Byron may have a permit to possess the weapon,  but he’s not authorized to bring it outside his home.

He said FESAGSS  is waiting for the Talisay City police’s report on the incident.

He said  Byron  could have his gun license revoked by his action.

‘Byron acted like he was going to shoot us.’ /Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter