ILOCOS NORTE -- A 21-year-old man was injured in a vehicular accident in Barangay Estancia in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte early Friday morning, leading to the recovery of an unlicensed firearm inside his overturned vehicle.

Police identified the driver as Justine Andrei Gali y Mandigma, a self-employed resident of Barangay Poblacion 1. Gali was driving a Mazda 3 (plate number XSU 557) when the incident occurred at around 5:24 a.m. on 6 February 2026, along the national highway in Barangay Estancia.

Responding personnel from the Pasuquin Municipal Police Station found the vehicle overturned upon arrival and coordinated with the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Pasuquin, which immediately transported Gali for medical treatment.

During a follow-up inspection inside the vehicle -- conducted in the presence of barangay officials -- police spotted, in plain view, a Colt .38 caliber revolver loaded with one live round, along with two additional pieces of live ammunition.

Police said the firearm and ammunition were recovered for documentation and ballistic examination. Necessary documents are being prepared for the filing of appropriate charges before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.