By CESAR JOLITO III

A barangay captain was arrested after the confiscation of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition and a hand grenade in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City on Friday night, July 17.

The suspect, identified by police only as 54-year-old alias “Gary,” is a resident of Barangay 12’s Hacienda Nasipunan.

Police said a concerned citizen alleged that “Gary” was illegally keeping a firearm.

Authorities conducted casing and surveillance before applying for a search warrant, which was later issued by the court.

A loaded caliber .22 revolver with six rounds of ammunition, 63 additional rounds of caliber .22 ammunition, and one hand grenade were recovered from the suspect.

The village chief was taken into police custody and is expected to face charges for alleged illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition and an explosive in violation of existing Philippine laws.

Police have not yet disclosed whether the recovered firearm and explosive were linked to any other criminal activity./CCJ, WDJ