Cop nabbed for gun ban breach
“In gun ban, only regular members of PNP/AFP and other law enforcers, in prescribed uniform, are authorized to carry firearms.”
PO1 Marion Asparo must have been oblivious to this fact following his arrest early morning of yesterday for violation of COMELEC Resolution 8714 or the total gun ban.
Asparo, who is on detailed service at the Police Regional Office (PRO) VI Headquarters in Iloilo City, was yielded with his service firearm after he figured in a mauling match with three other persons at around 2:50 a.m. at Jalandoni St., Iloilo City.
Reports said that Asparo was having noodles at a roadside eatery when suspect Roberto Patingan, 31, Rainier Pampag, 20, and Gerald Escalona, 31, all residents of Brgy. Tanza-Esperanza, Iloilo City, arrived.
Patingan allegedly threw a punch at Asparo and tried to grab the latter’s firearm.
But the bulky cop fought back against his three attackers.
Asparo allegedly grabbed Patingan and banged his head on a parked vehicle.
“Katatlo ko na siya ginbunggo sa salakyan,” the cop admitted adding that it was then that his firearm fell off.
Patingan grappled Asparo for the gun’s possession.
Pampag and Escalona allegedly took turns in boxing the cop on the right side of the face and back of the head.
But the two denied this.
They claimed that they were trying to pacify the fight.
The rumble ended after members of Police Station 1 arrived at the crime scene.
They brought Asparo and his three assailants at the police station.
Patingan was brought to Iloilo St. Paul’s Hospital due to head injuries.
He claimed that Asparo pistol-whipped him.
Presently, all three suspects are detained at the lock-up cell of Police Station 1.
PS1 chief Senior Insp. Federico Silvestre claimed that Asparo is also on their custody for violation of the gun ban.
“He was not in uniform and he is still being investigated,” Silvestre added.
While Asparo claimed that he would file charges against his attackers, Patingan also hinted a possible criminal charge against the cop.
