BANGUED, Abra – The Firearms and Explosives Unit of the Philippine National Police – Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) ordered the revocation of the license to own and possess (LTOP) firearms and all corresponding firearms registration of former Bangued Mayor Ryan Seares Luna effectively immediately because of his alleged involvement to several shooting incidents in the province during the election period.
The aforesaid administrative action stemmed from two separate shooting incidents being allegedly linked to the former mayor of the capital town.
The first incident transpired on April 27, 2022 at the covered court of barangay Angad, Bangued that resulted to the death of a certain Ronie Bernudes Bringas.
The second and the more recent incident transpired last April 21, 2025 at sitio Agdamay, barangay Budac, Tayum where a certain Jordan Claustro Barcena sustained gunshot wounds and Jay-ar Tanura died because of multiple gunshot wounds.
A complaint for two counts of murder was filed against Luna on April 30, 2025 before the provincial prosecution office in Bangued in relation to the shooting incident last April 21 in Tayum town.
The said incidents were committed during the prevailing enforcement of the gun ban pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Commission on Election (Comelec) relative to the conduct of the May 12, 2025 mid-term elections.
The FEU stated that considering the gravity of the aforesaid offenses, it exercised its right to revoke Luna’s LTOP firearms and firearms registration in the interest of public safety and in adherence to the rule of law.
The notice of revocation of the LTOP firearms and firearms registration was successfully served to Luna who reportedly promised to turnover to the PNP the 18 firearms covered by the revocation to the Abra Provincial Police office within three days upon receipt of the said notice without unnecessary delays.
The PNP pointed out that it remains steadfast to ensure that firearms are possessed and used only by qualified, law abiding citizens and will not hesitate to take the necessary actions against violators of the law for the greater interest of the safety of the public.
Section 39 of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act and its revised implementing rules and regulations provided that a license to own and possess a firearm may be revoked if the licensee commits a crime or offense involving the use of a firearm or its components and/or carries a firearm outside of residence or workplace without the appropriate permit to carry.
Under the prevailing implementation of the gun ban, no person is allowed to carry a firearm outside residence without the required certificate of authority from the poll body while all the issued permits prior to the said ban are deemed suspended.
Abra is being closely monitored by the poll body because of the occurrence of some 43 shooting incidents in the different parts of the province since January this year where only a few incidents are said to be politically motivated considering the intense political rivalry among the contending political figures. By Dexter A. See
