PRO-6 records 83 gun ban violations in WV
Police Regional Office (PRO 6) recorded a total of 83 gun ban violations in Western Visayas since the election gun ban was implemented.
Data shows that of the 83 gun ban cases 69 were committed by civilians, 8 security guards, 3 AFP, 2 PNP and 1 government employee. The operations also yielded 98 assorted caliber of firearms, of which 8 are high powered, 46 low powered and 44 homemade.
PRO 6 regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. said the confiscated firearms and ammunitions will form parts of the evidence of 78 cases which have already been filed in court.
"The figures of arrested gun ban violators show the effectiveness of our collective efforts in the conduct of checkpoint/chokepoint operations," he added.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office tops in this accomplishment with 18 arrested persons, Iloilo Police Provincial Office comes next with 17 arrested persons, Capiz Police Provincial Office with 11 arrested persons, followed by Aklan Police Provincial Office with 10, Bacolod City and Iloilo City Police Offices with 9 each, Antique Police Provincial Office with 5 and Guimaras Police Provincial Office with 4 arrested persons.
Dulay stressed that the strict implementation of the Comelec Gun Ban is an effective deterrence to the occurrence of election-related violent incidents.
"We have received intelligence reports that some political candidates have already hired armed groups to be mobilized this election, and our police operatives are already closely monitoring the activities of these persons," he added.
The Top Cop also enjoins the public to be vigilant in the campaign against loose firearms and existence of partisan armed groups. "The concerted efforts of the police and people of Western Visayas are paramount in attaining our common goal for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections," he ended.
(PIO-PRO 6)