Off-duty policeman nabbed for violating gun ban, drunkenness

An off-duty policeman was arrested after he was caught carrying a firearm in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City last Thursday night.

PO1 Mark Henry Virtudazo, who is assigned at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), violated the election gun ban since he was in a non-official function when he was caught with a 9mm caliber pistol in his possession, said Chief Insp. Michael Angelo Beltran, chief of the Guadalupe Police Station.

The arrest came after Virtudazo figured in a confrontation with retired policeman Jose Ledesma.

The incident happened near the house of former South District Representative Tony Cuenco on Velez Street.

Ledesma, who now works as a security escort of Cuenco, went  to a store to buy cellphone load.

Police said Ledesma saw Virtudazo drinking a bottle of beer with a gun tucked in his waistband.

Virtudazo caught Ledesma staring at him. He then went to the vendor to inquire about Ledesma’s identity.

Fearing official  sanction  when he was told that Ledesma was a former policeman who retired with a rank of police officer 4, Virtudazo followed the retired officer when he left the store.

Virtudazo frisked Ledesma and later drew a gun.

Ledesma then called the police.

“Hubog kaayo ni siya, naabtan nato nga nag inom-inom, gipangitaan siya sa iyang dokumento sa armas wala may ikapakita, gipangitaan sa iyang ID wa pud ikapakita mao na dayon to nga atung gi-aresto (He was very drunk. We chanced upon him drinking. We asked him to present the documents for his firearm but he didn’t have any. He also failed to present an identification card so we arrested him),” Beltran said.

Beltran said Virtudazo was arrogant when he introduced himself as a subordinate of Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, director of CPPO.

“Kung makasohan ni siya mas maganda para naay motagam ba sa mga police nga barombado (It will be better if a case will be filed against him so this will serve as a lesson for erring policemen),” said Gairanod.