Fishpond caretaker using dog as shooting target arrested

ABUCAY, Bataan — Police arrested yesterday a fishpond caretaker who used his own dog as shooting target Thursday morning after concerned residents reported the burst of gunfires to the police.

Major Gerald John Bautista, chief of police, reported to Col. Marites Salvadora, police directress, that their swift action and immediate response resulted in the arrest of a 67-year-old man, a fishpond caretaker in Barangay Calaylayan.

The suspect is facing illegal possession of firearms, alarm and scandal.

Worse, the suspect used his own dog as his shooting target that alarmed residents in the area.

Major Bautista reported that at around 10:20 a.m. Thursday, a concerned citizen personally reported to the Abucay Municipal Police Station an alarming incident in a fishpond area, in Barangay Calaylayan, Abucay, Bataan involving an individual who was allegedly seen repeatedly firing a gun at their dog.

Acting swiftly on the report, personnel of Abucay PNP immediately proceeded to the location of the incident along with the complainant and arrested the suspect, a 67-year-old fish pond caretaker.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were one Para-Ordnance P7.45 caliber .45 pistol loaded with one live round, one caliber .45 magazine loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and three fired cartridge cases.

Upon verification conducted by the police, the suspect failed to present any legal documents authorizing him to possess or carry the firearm.

As a result, he was placed under warrantless arrest for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), Alarm and Scandal, and Violation of the Omnibus Election Code (Gun Ban).

“The Bataan Police Provincial Office firmly committed that we will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation resulting from the mishandling or possession of loose firearms. Our police force, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, remains resilient to pursuing and apprehending individuals found in illegal possession of firearms. This effort is a vital part of our mission to ensure a safe, peaceful, and crime-free province of Bataan,” Salvadora added.