BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur — A former member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now behind bars after police swiftly responded to reports of gunfire that alarmed residents in a community in Bayugan City, leading to the recovery of a loaded caliber .45 pistol and suspected illegal drugs.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old alias “Aldrin,” a resident of Purok 11, Barangay Salvacion, Bayugan City, was arrested by police at around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, following a report from a concerned citizen about a man allegedly firing a gun in the area.
Police said the report immediately prompted personnel of the Bayugan City Police Station to respond to the location, where they apprehended the suspect.
The incident reportedly caused fear and concern among residents, particularly because of the presence of a firearm being discharged in the community.
During the arrest, authorities recovered a sling bag allegedly belonging to the suspect. Inside the bag were several items, including a caliber .45 pistol, a loaded magazine containing three live rounds of ammunition, and one spent caliber .45 cartridge casing.
Police also recovered two transparent plastic sachets containing traces of suspected shabu, adding a drug-related dimension to the case.
Other items seized during the operation included a PNP identification card, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification card, ATM card, charger, and power bank.
The recovery of the firearm and ammunition is expected to form a major part of the police investigation, particularly in determining whether the gun was legally registered and whether the suspect had the necessary authority to possess and carry it.
The presence of the spent cartridge casing may also provide investigators with physical evidence to establish whether the recovered firearm was the weapon allegedly discharged during the incident.
Police have yet to disclose additional details regarding the circumstances that prompted the suspect to allegedly fire the weapon, including whether anyone was threatened, injured, or directly targeted.
Authorities are also expected to subject the seized items to proper examination and documentation as part of the investigation and filing of appropriate charges.
The suspect is currently being held at the Bayugan Component City Police Station while police process the case and prepare the necessary charges before the appropriate prosecutorial authorities.
The incident underscores the continuing concern over the dangerous combination of firearms and suspected illegal drugs, particularly when weapons are allegedly discharged in populated communities.
Police continue to urge residents to immediately report gun-related incidents and other suspicious activities to authorities, noting that timely information from concerned citizens can allow law enforcement personnel to respond quickly and prevent potentially more serious violence.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged gunfire and establish the legal status of the recovered firearm and the suspected illegal drugs.