A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been convicted of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
Convicted by the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) was Cesar Balmaceda who was sentenced to a prison term ranging from two years and four months to seven years and four months. He was also ordered to pay a fine of P30,000.
Citing records of the case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that “Balmaceda was arrested by joint operatives of the Philippine Army (PA) and the police in 2000 in Barangay Lumutan, Atimonan, Quezon.”
It said the PA and police operatives went to Barangay Lumutan to check information that there was an armed person in the area.
It said that the PA operatives spotted six men who, when questioned, scampered to different directions. “When the PA and the policemen pursued them, one of them drew a gun but it did not fire,” it said.
A warning shot was fired by the pursuing law enforcers that led Balmaceda to give up, it said.
The DOJ said a .45 pistol loaded with four live ammunition was recovered from Balmaceda.
“He was unable to present any document to prove his authority to possess the firearm which led to the court’s judgment that ‘the prosecution was able to establish the quantum of evidence required in this case, that is proof beyond reasonable doubt,’” it said.
The DOJ did not give details why it took about 23 years to resolve Balmaceda’s case from the time of his arrest in year 2000.
TAGS: #DOJ #Taguig City RTC #Suspected NPA member Balmaceda