Lu councilor, 2 others nabbed for guns, bullets

By Erwin Beleo

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – A village councilor and two others were arrested for illegal possession of firearms during successive searches conducted by police in Sudipen, Bauang, and San Fernando City recently, the La Union Police Provincial Office reported.

Backed by search warrants, the operations were part of several preemptive moves of the local Philippine National Police to rid La Union of loose firearms, police information officer Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado Jr. said.

The councilman was identified as Giovanni Sarmiento, 36, of Barangay Castro, Sudipen. His house was raided by authorities.

Seized from Sarmiento’s house were a homemade .45 pistol, one empty magazine, and several 9mm live ammunitions.

The police raiders executed a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) issued by Judge Ruben Corpuz of Municipal Trial Court in Sudipen, La Union.