A gun issued to Bayawan City Councilor Mark Aurelia, which he had earlier declared as “lost”, was accidentally fired Sunday in a parking lot in Dumaguete City.
A report from SkyCable News said Aurelia was about to respond to an alleged threat to his life at the parking lot of a big hospital here in Dumaguete when his gun discharged prematurely, grazing his inner right thigh.
Dumaguete Police Chief Supt. James Goforth said the firearm, a Glock 17, with serial number HHY073, owned by the Bayawan LGU, was reported lost on June 5, 2014.
Aurelia had executed an affidavit dated June 16, 2014, stating that the gun issued to him was lost, the report continued.
Aurelia admitted to SkyNews that he had indeed issued an affidavit of loss for the firearm, but that the gun was recovered on Aug. 1.
The police may charge Aurelia for illegal possession of a firearm.
The councilor has not yet presented documents allowing him to carry a gun outside his residence.
Possible perjury charges are also eyed against Aurelia for reporting the loss of the firearm.
Meanwhile, Bayawan City Mayor German Sarana Jr. has ordered the recall of firearms issued to local officials.
Sarana ordered the return of the Glock 17 firearms issued to Vice Mayor Ismael Martinez, and to Councilors Aurelia and Jonas Trias, during the past administration.
Aurelia called the order unfair, pointing out that only guns issued to Opposition councilors and the Vice Mayor were being recalled.
Firearms were also issued to Councilors Mon Duque, Gerome Lames, Popoy Renacia, Luis Sumalpong, Charlo Jamin, and Ernesto Tijing Jr. (AP)
