POLICE probers have filed criminal charges against the registered owner of the gun used by a robbery suspect in the recent killing of a policeman from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
Hernando Dela Cruz Robes was accused of violations of Section 41 (illegal transfer of firearm ownership) and Section 32 (unlawful sale or disposition of firearm) under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The QCPD said the charges were lodged last Friday before the San Jose Del Monte City Prosecutors’ Office in Bulacan.
It said “manhunt operation is ongoing” for the arrest of Robes, a resident of San Jose Del Monte City.
The case stemmed from the July 1 incident at the vicinity of the Benigno Aquino Elementary School in Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City that resulted in the death of Patrolman Curtney Baggay.
Baggay and a fellow policeman heard consecutive shots some 25 meters away from the school where they were posted.
It turned out it was a robbery in progress that led to the wounding of two people, identified only as Sonny and Irah Mae.
The suspect, identified as Rolando Villarete, shot the responding policemen using a 9 mm pistol, hitting Baggay in the chest and arm.
Baggay, though wounded, and his companion returned fire, leading to the death of the suspect.
Baggay was brought to the Rosario Maclan Hospital, where he later died.
“Records revealed that Robes owns three firearms, including the one used by the suspect (Villarete), with the said firearm’s license having expired since March 17, 2014,” the QCPD said in a statement.
The QCPD said a son of Robes claimed the firearm used in the robbery incident was sold to one Manuel Marcos Mercado through an Absolute Deed of Sale dated March 10, 2023.
Further validation showed that Mercado had no license to own and possess firearms and his own registered firearm had an expired license since August 2007.
“Further investigation revealed that Mercado passed away on May 11, 2025, and his widow confirmed knowing Robes personally as her husband’s ‘shooting buddy’,” the QCPD said.
It said two witnesses confirmed the authenticity of their signatures that appeared on the deed of sale and “attested to the transaction between Robes as seller and Mercado as buyer.”
“Despite the deed being notarized, FEO (PNP Firearms and Explosive Office) verification confirmed that the firearm remains registered under Robes’ name, making him still legally accountable for its custody and use,” the QCPD said.
The QCPD said Robles, with the help of witnesses, surrendered his two other firearms.
QCPD officer-in-charge Col. Randy Glenn Silvio commended the “dedication and swift actions” of the investigators, leading to the filing of cases against Robes.
“This accomplishment reflects the QCPD’s commitment to the CPNP’s core leadership value of swift and responsive public service,” said Silvio.
