ORMOC CITY— Authorities arrested seven men for illegal possession of firearms while allegedly preparing to hunt wildlife in Barangay Calipayan, Culaba, Biliran, on afternoon, August 20.
The suspects, identified by their aliases as “Jov,” 39; “Lon,” 37; “Rod,” 39; “Ryan,” 23; “Ran,” 38; “Joms,” 30; and “Renz,” 27, are all residents of the same barangay and reportedly engaged in hunting wild boar (baboy ramo) without the necessary permits.
According to the police report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8, personnel from the Culaba Municipal Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Biliran Police Provincial Office, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) intercepted the group during a patrol in the mountainous area of Barangay Calipayan.
Seized from the suspects were six improvised firearms locally known as “sumpak,” a shotgun without a serial number, and 22 live 12-gauge shotgun rounds. The suspects failed to present any legal documents, such as a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF), firearm registration, and a Permit to Carry Firearm Outside Residence (PTCFOR). They also had no hunting permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The arrests constitute violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act).
(ROBERT DEJON)
