Gun ban’s first day nab eight violators in Region VI
A member of the Armed Forces, a government employee, and six other persons comprised the group of violators who were arrested in the first day of the implementation of the election gun ban, which started January 10.
Two of those arrested are from Antique province, three from Capiz, two from Negros Occidental, and one from Bacolod City.
In Antique, Jose Maria Necesito, 43, a provincial government employee, was nabbed with a Para Ordnance caliber .45 pistol with serial number 271848 at Pedro L. Gindap Hospital at Brgy. Lisub, Barbaza town.
The suspect reportedly fired his gun while at the said hospital shortly after midnight of Sunday.
At 5 p.m., joint elements of Sibalom Municipal Police Station led by Insp. Abelardo Cabrela and Municipal Comelec Office Homer Francisco nabbed Albino Secreto, 36, of Turko St., San Jose in a checkpoint at Brgy.Cubay Napultan, Sibalom.
The suspect was yielded with a hand grenade and a 10-inch knife.
In Capiz province, Edgar Buenafe, 33, of Brgy. Preciosa, Sara, Iloilo, and Briel Querubin, 21, of Brgy. Aspera, Sara, were arrested in a checkpoint at Brgy. Rosario, Pilar town.
Buenafe, who was driving the motorcycle, was confiscated with a caliber .38 revolver loaded with live ammunitions.
The arrest of PFC Daniel Borres, 21, of Brgy. Jibaca, Maayon, Capiz and a member of Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion based in Negros Occidental, stemmed when he appeared before the Pontevedra Police Station to verify his motorcycle which was intercepted in a Comelec/PNP checkpoint at crossing Bailan, Pontevedra.
Police accounts claimed that Borres, who was allegedly donned in civilian attire and armed with a caliber .45 pistol, acted arrogantly and questioned the authority of such impoundment.
This prompted Insp. Kenneth Ray Militar to ask the soldier for proper documents for his possession of a firearm but Borres failed to present any.
Meanwhile, a checkpoint along Mabini Highway in Talisay City, Negros Occidental nabbed motorist Tiborcio Rosil, 54, of Hacienda Granada, Brgy. Matab-ang, Silay City.
Members of Public Safety Management Company became suspicious of the suspect after he made a U-turn before reaching the checkpoint.
When policemen signaled him to stop, Rosil followed, thus, he was yielded with a 12-gauge handgun with a live ammunition.
Just like Rosil, suspect Rolumo Bacong, 40, of Brgy. Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, was nabbed in a checkpoint.
Recovered from him was a homemade Magnum .357 revolver and three live ammunitions.
On the other hand, Engr. Antonio de Jesus, 50, of Purok Katilingban, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, was also nabbed in a checkpoint at Hernaez St.,Bacolod City.
Recovered from the compartment of his Toyota SUV was a Glock .45 pistol with three magazines and 22 live ammunitions.
Continued operations
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said that they would continue the conduct of checkpoints during election period, which runs from January 10, 2010 to June 9, 2010.
Under Comelec Resolution 8714 issued last December 17, 2009, all persons are banned from carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places including public buildings, streets, parks and private vehicles during the gun ban period.
“That’s why, we are reminding the public that carrying of firearms is not allowed even if you are a member of AFP and PNP,” he said pointing out that the PNP and AFP, and other law enforcers, while in the actual performance of their duties and functions, could carry guns provided they are in complete uniform.
Cuevas stressed, “if they are not in uniform, the presumption is that they are violating the laws and therefore, they must be apprehended and investigated.”
The region’s top cop pointed out that even so-called intelligence officers are no exemptions to the rule.
“They should be in uniform as to avoid confusions. If not, they should be apprehended because that’s the law,” he added.
In gun ban, only regular plantilla members of PNP/AFP and other law enforcers (who are receiving regular compensation for services rendered) are authorized to bear/carry/transport firearms or other deadly weapons, in prescribed uniform showing clearly and legibly his name/rank/serial number, in case rank and serial numbers are inapplicable, his agency identification card showing clearly his name and position (which ID card shall remain visible at all times), with valid mission/letter order and in actual performance of election/official duty or going to and returning from his residence or station.
Cuevas also reiterated that the Comelec resolution also covered air guns and air rifles.
Aside from regular firearms and deadly weapons, also covered by the ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks.
