Man wanted for illegal arms nabbed, in more trouble with new gun

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — A militiaman, who had been hiding after having been charged with illegal possession of firearms in 2014, got himself into more trouble after yielding a handgun while being arrested on Thursday.

Chief Insp. Teody Condesa, head of the police’s Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (CIDG) in Davao del Sur, said Geovanie Ugbaniel, also known as Daniel, was arrested based on a warrant issued for an earlier case of illegal possession of firearms.

The 34-year-old militiaman, he said, had been in hiding and authorities found him in Barangay Mahayahay in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

Condesa said when they frisked Ugbaniel, the fugitive was found to be carrying a Norinco .45 caliber pistol and several rounds of ammunition.

“The suspect failed to present documents for the firearms seized from him,” he said.

Ugbaniel had been presented to the court, which issued his warrant, and will be charged anew with illegal possession of firearms under the expanded gun control law. SFM