A 50-YEAR-OLD man was arrested at the home of suspended Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza after he was caught by security guards carrying an unlicensed hand gun at past 1 p.m. yesterday.
Wilfred Abapo, a resident of Katipunan, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City is detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police headquarters pending the filing of charges of illegal possession of firearms in court.
One of the security guards named Alex Pilarion said Abapo casually entered the gated home of the Radazas alone while carrying a sling bag. The family had invited friends to celebrate the fiesta of Barangay Mactan in their home at the time.
Pilarion asked Abapo if he knew anyone inside, and Abapo replied that he was alone and never knew anybody there. He said he followed the other visitors and wanted to eat there.
Pilarion and his companion Alex Pesores asked Abapo to deposit his sling bag, but Abapo refused, prompting Pilarion to inspect the sling bag which contained one loaded .357 revolver.
Abapo said he carried the gun for self-defense but failed to show any papers to justify carrying his weapon outside his home.
Mactan police escorted Abapo to the police precinct for questioning. Senior Insp. Felix Cleopas III, Mactan police precinct chief, said Abapo failed to produce ID cards.
Radaza later thanked the security guards for securing her home.