Shots fired inside Laoag apartment, contractor held

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — A late-night disturbance inside an apartment compound in Barangay 51-A, Nangalisan East ended with the arrest of a 29-year-old contractor after he allegedly fired a gun, sending residents scrambling in fear.

Police said the incident happened around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, when they received reports of gunshots inside the compound in Sitio 2. Two residents, Daven Obiena Obino, 18, and Mar Yutila Germones, 34 — both construction workers from Western Samar renting in the area — told officers they heard three successive gunshots while inside their unit.

Obino said he stepped outside to check and saw the suspect, Jeaboy Regorosa Completo, holding a firearm.

Investigators said Completo had been drinking with companions in front of the apartment prior to the incident. Alarmed and fearing the situation could escalate, Germones contacted his brother, who immediately sought police assistance.

Personnel from the Laoag City Police Station arrived shortly after and conducted an on-site investigation. The two residents positively identified Completo as the person who fired the gun.

During the arrest, police recovered a caliber .380 pistol marked STAR EIBAR SPAIN with serial number 1964668, along with seven live .380 caliber rounds, P1,412 in cash, firearms and a black holster. The suspect failed to present any firearm documents, including a License to Own and Possess Firearm and a Permit to Carry Outside Residence.

Police conducted an on-site inventory of the seized firearm and ammunition in the presence of barangay officials and the suspect. Completo is now in police custody as authorities continue their investigation.