Teen faces charges for gun possession

CEBU, Philippines — A teenager is now facing charges before the court for illegal possession of firearm after he allegedly pointed his gun at a jail officer early this month.

Louie Abella, 19, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City, was arrested on October 4 this year after he allegedly pulled out his .38 caliber revolver, which was tucked in his waistband, and attempted to shoot Cebu City Jail Officer 1 Briane Kadusale.

At around 3 p.m. on that day, Kadusale narrated, that they were about to leave the facility together with an inmate for a medical checkup when he heard over his handheld radio about a man trying to climb up the perimeter fence of the jail’s Tower3, which the male dormitory is located.

Kadusale on board the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) van rushed to the location.

He called the attention of Abella who was about to throw into the jail premises packs of cigarettes bundled together.

But Abella allegedly tried to elude arrest and then fired his gun at the jail officer, prompting Kadusale to retaliate.

The suspect suffered gunshot wound to his buttocks.

Upon verification from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms and Explosives, it was found out that Abella is not a licensed firearm holder, meaning whatever gun that may be found in his possession is considered illegal.

In an inquest proceeding, Abella told Prosecutor II Ramon Carisma that he will no longer file a counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against him before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office. Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

Carisma set the bail for Abella’s temporary liberty at P120,000 while the case is pending before the court. (FREEMAN)