WV yields 223 assorted firearms during election period
Police Regional Office (PRO 6) regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. yesterday presented to the media the 223 assorted firearms confiscated by his men all over the region relative to the implementation of election gun ban from January 14 to May 15, 2007.
Dulay attributed the accomplishment to the intensified implementation of visibility patrol and checkpoint / chokepoint operations on various exit and entry points.
Of the total number of confiscated firearms, 49 are high powered, 79 low powered and 95 homemade.
Also presented were 2,499 assorted ammunition, 14 explosives, P300,000.00 cash money, 150 pieces money envelop, and 3 handheld radios.
Said items will be presented as evidences against the arrested persons.
Dulay said 214 violators have been arrested while 142 cases have been filed for violation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 7764 or the Comelec gun ban.
Dulay, however, noted that this year's record is lower compared to that of the year 2004 elections.
Records show that in 2004 Western Visayas yielded 255 violators, 239 confiscated firearms and 128 cases filed.
Dulay said the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) topped in the number of persons arrested with 55 followed by Negros Occidental PPO with 42; Capiz PPO with 34; Bacolod City PO with 24; Aklan and Antique PPOs with 16 arrested persons each; Iloilo City PO with 13; Guimaras with 8 and 6th RMG with 5 arrested persons.
On the number of confiscated firearms, Iloilo and Negros Occidental PPOs have 52 confiscated firearms each; Capiz PPO has 27; Bacolod City PO with 24; Aklan PPO with 19; Antique PPO with 17; Iloilo City PO with 14; Guimaras PPO with 7; and, 6RMG with 6 confiscated firearms.
Dulay assessed this year's political exercise in the region as generally peaceful.
He particularly thanked the candidates and the community as a whole for their cooperation to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Western Visayas recorded 34 election related violent incidents with the province of Iloilo having 13 election related cases, Antique 8 cases, Negros Occidental 6, Aklan 4, Capiz 2 and Bacolod City 1.
"Except for the incidents in Tubungan, Iloilo; Escalante Negros Occidental, and Laua-an, Antique, where there were fatalities, other incidents were minor harassment involving supporters of contending parties in several towns," Dulay said.
(With PIO-PRO 6)