Eleven persons face gun ban raps
Eleven persons in Western Visayas were already criminally charged for violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 8714 or the election gun ban.
Although a total of 17 persons were arrested for gun ban breach, charges against six persons are yet to be filed pending investigation.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) topped the number of arrests, including the apprehension of Dario Dalin, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).
Dalin was arrested at Brgy. Tabunak, Toboso town for carrying a caliber .45 pistol.
Capiz province followed with five violators to include a member of the Philippine Army.
PFC Daniel Borres, 21, of Brgy. Jibaca, Maayon, Capiz and a member of Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion based in Negros Occidental, was nabbed on the first day of the gun ban implementation.
He was nabbed after appeared before the Pontevedra Police Station to verify his motorcycle which was intercepted in a Comelec/PNP checkpoint at crossing Bailan, Pontevedra.
Donned in civilian attire and armed with a caliber .45 pistol, Borres allegedly acted arrogantly and questioned the authority of such impoundment.
Further, Aklan, Antique, and Bacolod City recorded arrests of two violators each.
Meanwhile, the provinces of Guimaras and Iloilo and Iloilo City posted no arrest on gun ban violation.
PRO-6 also showed that 15 firearms –six high-powered and 9 low-powered – were recovered during the operations.
Two bladed weapons and a hand grenade were also recovered from the violators.
It was gathered that those arrested will face criminal charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which imposes a penalty of one to six years imprisonment without probation, disqualification from holding public office or right to suffrage, and deportation for foreigners if found guilty of the offense.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 again reminded the public that Comelec prohibits the carrying and transport of firearms, explosives and deadly weapons during the 150-day election period from Jan. 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.
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.
