SURIGAO CITY, Philippines — A 46-year-old man was arrested Thursday night, March 19, after allegedly threatening a woman with a firearm in a tense incident that alarmed residents in Barangay Taft.
The suspect, identified as Rosie Daday Augilloso, a boat captain and resident of Purok 5, Barangay Puerto Princesa in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands, was apprehended by responding police officers following a commotion along Narciso Street corner Borromeo Street.
Police identified the victim as Hariesan Anting Pelinta, a resident of Purok 4, Barangay San Juan, Surigao City.
According to initial investigation, Pelinta was tending to her small business at around 10:00 p.m. when the suspect suddenly approached her and demanded to know if she had been calling his cellphone. The victim denied the accusation, which reportedly enraged Augilloso.
Authorities said the suspect then pulled out a .45 caliber pistol from his sling bag and pointed it at the victim’s head, triggering panic in the area.
The situation quickly escalated into a struggle, but the victim’s sibling and nearby civilians intervened, managing to disarm and restrain the suspect until police arrived.
Responding officers recovered from Augilloso’s possession a loaded .45 caliber pistol with a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition, an extra magazine with seven rounds, a holster, and a sling bag.
The suspect sustained facial injuries during the scuffle and was immediately brought to a hospital for medical treatment before being taken into police custody.
Augilloso is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as grave threats.
Police commended the swift action of civilians who helped prevent what could have escalated into a more serious or deadly incident, while reminding the public to report suspicious and threatening behavior to authorities immediately.