Antique town mayor convicted for gun ban violation

ILOILO CITY – Mayor John Lloyd Pacete of Bugasong town in Antique province has been convicted for violating the gun ban imposed in the May 2016 elections.

Judge Mario Andres Jr. of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 64 ordered in a February 27 ruling that Pacete be imprisoned for a maximum of two years, perpetually disqualified from public office, and deprived of the right to vote.

The court ruling stemmed from an April 2016 incident that involved Pacete, who was the incumbent vice mayor and was running for the mayoralty in that election process.

Dine Pagunsan, legal counsel for former Bugasong police chief Juvy Cordero, told The Manila Bulletin in a phone interview, that Pacete illegally took possession of a gun involved in a criminal incident in Tagudtod village.

Pacete allegedly demanded the baranga chairman to turn over to him the .45 caliber firearm recovered after a fatal scuffle. The village chief complied and handed the gun over to Pacete, who later denied having it when questioned by Bugasong police.

But Judge Andres noted in his 26page decision there’s “extant evidence demonstrating the existence of the firearm in the possession” of Pacete.

Meanwhile, Pacete is also facing another charge for obstruction of justice. (Tara Yap)