Vice gov’s security aide nabbed for illegal gun

BANGUED, Abra – A security aide of the provincial vice governor faces charges for illegal possession of firearm after he was arrested here August 9 at theSinalag Bridge checkpoint in Barangay Cipcan.

Police identified the suspect as Rodrigo A. Valera Jr., 59. of Ayyeng, Manabo town.

A police report said personnel of the regional public safety battalion led by Insp. ElpidioPagoy were in the area when they flagged down a black Kawasaki Fury motorcycle with license plate number 1668 AF driven by the suspect.

As a result, A Cal. 40, gun loaded with 38 bullets were confiscated from Valera.

He presented license for the gun with expiry dated April 11, 2015 and permit to carry firearms outside of residence with control number RAV-11074638 and with expiry date of July 24, 2012.

Despite this, he was arrested considering that all permits to carry firearms outside of residence were suspended effective April 1, 2011 in Abra as per memorandum issued by Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo dated April 7, 2011.
The suspect and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Abra provincial police office while a case for illegal firearms was readied against the suspect.