Man arrested for unlicensed pistol in nightclub raid

A 27-year-old man was arrested during an Oplan Bakal inspection inside Asia Night Disco in Barangay 1, San Lorenzo, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, after police recovered an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol and assorted ammunition from his sling bag shortly after 12:07 a.m. on 15 November. The operation was led by PCPT Kester L. Arellano, investigation officer, under the supervision of PLTCOL Andrew Rabang, chief of police.

Police said the suspect, identified as Allan Mark Sibal Ladera, a resident of Barangay Caglayan, Conner, Apayao, voluntarily opened his body bag during the routine inspection, revealing a handgun in plain view. When he failed to present a license to own and possess firearm, permit to carry, and firearm registration, officers confiscated the weapon and placed him under arrest. Ladera was informed of his rights under Philippine law before police conducted a body search.

Recovered from his brown sling bag were a caliber .45 pistol (serial no. 039195AFP, M1911 A2 FS–TACT); three single-stack magazines loaded with nine, six, and five live rounds of .45 caliber ammunition; two live rounds for caliber .380; two empty caliber .380 cartridge shells; one live .223 Remington round; and the sling bag itself. Police conducted marking and inventory of the confiscated items on-site in the presence of the suspect and Barangay Kagawad Allan Ancheta. The arrest was documented using an alternative recording device, and duty investigators were immediately notified for the filing of appropriate charges.