A 35-year-old man was sent to jail for possessing a replica gun in Marikina City last Friday.
Col. Villamor Tuliao, Eastern Police District (EPD) Director, identified the man as Bernard Sarcon, 35, a resident of Barangay Nangka, Marikina City.
Another suspect reportedly involved in a shooting incident with Sarcon, identified as alias Igot, is still at large.
Before Sarcon’s arrest, an alleged shooting incident happened at about 2:25 a.m. last January 24 at No. 28 Avenue corner Kabayani Road, Balubad Settlement, Barangay Nangka.
A review of the footage that CCTV cameras in the area captured showed that two men had an altercation that resulted in a discharge of a firearm. The two were later identified and were informed as wanted persons.
The next day, Sarcon went to a police station to “clear his name,” claiming the gun he used was a replica.
Unfortunately for him, the police took his statement as an admission of guilt. Under RA 10591 which states that when you are using/possessing only a fake, imitation, or even a toy gun, you are liable for the same penalty as possessing a small firearm which is punishable from six to eight years of jail time.