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An off-duty policeman was arrested by a civilian for violating the Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban at the Mango Square in Cebu City yesterday.
PO3 Arturo Lawas was detained at the Fuente Police Station after he was arrested by William Go, 36, who was assisted by Fuente station policemen.
Investigation showed that Lawas and Go argued outside a beerhouse in the area. Go, who is from barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City, said that Lawas allegedly pulled a gun on him and threatened him during the argument.
A few minutes later, Fuente policemen arrived. Go told them about the incident and asked that they help him arrest Lawas.
Go and the policemen found Lawas in the area and Go made a citizen's arrest.
Lawas didn't resist after seeing the other policemen accompanying Go. His service firearm, a .45 caliber pistol, was found in his possession.
Cebu City Police Chief Patrocinio Comendador said that Lawas would be charged for violating the election gun ban because he was bringing a gun while he was off-duty.
The gun ban law says that policemen who are off duty or in civilian attire are not allowed to carry firearms during the period covering the ban.
Comendador said even if Go would not file charges against Lawas, they would still file the gun ban complaint against the policeman.
This was not however the first time Lawas had figured in a controversy.
Comendador said that Lawas was convicted in 2008 of child abuse for beating a boy and placing a gun in his mouth. Lawas was also dismissed from service.
Lawas however availed of a probation for his criminal sanctions. His appeal that he be reinstated in service was also granted.
