ARRESTED. Police collar a former immigration employee (hidden) who entered the DOJ compound with a handgun Tuesday night (Sept. 24, 2024). The suspect will be initially charged with illegal possession pending the final disposition of other possible charges. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)
MANILA – A dismissed employee of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) with mental issues faces possible criminal charges after being apprehended at the Department of Justice compound with an unlicensed firearm, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said Wednesday.
The man was apprehended along with another individual late Tuesday by police officers from the Manila Police District Station 5.
In an interview with reporters, Remulla said the suspect, who apparently knows a lot of persons in the DOJ, was also discovered to be a scammer.
"The person is obviously a mental case. Marami syang kilala dito, alam na alam nya yung sistema (He has mental issues. He knows a lot of persons here and he knows the system). He has been dismissed from the service before kaya may problema talaga. Magdadala ng baril tapos walang lisensya (so he really has a problem. He carries a gun but has no license)," he said.
"Yes, scammer, it's discovered as a scammer. But let's look where the case brings us. Kasi isa-isa lang yan, ang kaso niyan, possession of firearms pa lang (Because right now, he is only facing illegal possession charges)," he added.
Officials did not release the name of the worker pending a final disposition by authorities, but officials confirmed he had been dismissed since March for loss of trust and confidence after working at the agency for seven months.
Meanwhile, Remulla said there have been moves to improve security in the DOJ compound due to the increase in the number of controversial cases handled by DOJ personnel. (PNA)
