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 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 identified the suspect as Allan Mark Sibal Ladera, a resident of Barangay Caglayan, Conner, Apayao. According to authorities, Ladera voluntarily opened his body bag during the routine inspection exposing a handgun in plain view. When he failed to present a License to Own and Possess Firearm, Permit to Carry, or firearm registration, officers confiscated the weapon and arrested him. He was informed of his rights under Philippine law before a body search was conducted.

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 .45 caliber rounds; two live rounds for caliber .380; two empty caliber .380 cartridge shells; one live .223 Remington round; and the sling bag itself.

Police marked and inventoried the seized items at the scene in the presence of the suspect and Barangay Kagawad Allan Ancheta. The arrest was recorded using an Alternative Recording Device, and duty investigators were notified for the filing of appropriate charges.