Trader nabbed for firing gun in San Juan mall

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman was arrested for allegedly firing his gun during an argument with stall owners over their unpaid debt at a mall in San Juan on Wednesday.

Shoppers, stall owners and workers at Virra Mall ran for safety when Alvin Salic Baunto, 33, fired his handgun thrice into the air, said Senior Superintendent Dindo Reyes, San Juan police chief.

Responding police officers disarmed Baunto of his 9mm Glock pistol and brought him to the police headquarters for investigation.

Reyes said Baunto, also a stall owner, confronted Muhlach Disumimba, 42, and his wife, Analyn, 37, asking them to pay P200,000 they borrowed from him in 2016.

Baunto became angry when the couple refused to pay their debt after two years of promising to pay him.

No one was hurt in the incident, Reyes said, adding that they are still checking if Baunto’s handgun is registered.

Reyes ordered the filing of charges of alarm and scandal and indiscriminate firing of a handgun against Baunto before the city prosecutor’s office.