Police nab gun-toting village councilman

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 23, 2012 (except image)

By Rubyloida Bitog

Tanfoglio FT9 .380ACP Pistol

LAMUT, Ifugao -- A village watchman was caught by police pointing a gun to a resident last January 15.

The incident occurred in the Ifugao State University (IFSU) compound, Nayon, Lamut, Ifugao. The suspect was identified as Antonio Tayaban Allaga Jr., 58, married, and a resident of the place.

Police investigation revealed he allegedly used a firearm to hit the face of a certain Atachi Pulig Saguilot, 30, single and also a resident of the same place.

Investigation further disclosed prior to the incident, gunfire was heard at the residential area of the suspect, which prompted Noel Ballitoc, a security guard on duty at IFSU to call for police assistance of the town’s municipal police station.

Responding personnel immediately proceeded to the area wherein they saw the suspect holding a gun while confronting the victim with blood oozing on the victim’s face. The suspect was also seen poking his firearm at the victim and squeezing the trigger several times but no bullet was fired.

Upon seeing the incident, police immediately disarmed and arrested the suspect. They confiscated the firearm. The firearm was later described to be a Caliber 9mm Tanfoglio with serial number AB70257.

The suspect was requested to present the documents of his firearm and he showed his firearm license number 113854712143362 issued last August 4, 2011 and will expire on February 7, 2015.

The barangay kagawad was submitted for paraffin test while the firearm confiscated was turned over to Ifugao Crime Laboratory Office for ballistic examination.

At present, the suspect is under the custody of Lamut police station while proper documentation of the case is being prepared to be filed at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 23, 2012.