41 Comelec gun ban violators arrested in WV

Posted by watchmen
May 4, 2018
Posted in HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

 

Strict implementation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban has resulted in the arrest of 41 violators, as well as the recovery of 27 firearms and the surrender of 12 other guns, throughout the Western Visayas (WV) since the beginning of election period, April 14, through April 28.

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Joem Malong, said 11 violators were arrested in Bacolod City; while the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) reported the arrest of nine violators, including two minors.

PRO-6 records also showed seven such arrests were made in Iloilo.

NOPPO spokesperson, Police Inspector Charmae De Paz, said they seized six firearms with 22 units of live ammunition and two bladed weapons.

Meanwhile, PRO-6 has recorded four election-related incidents of violence in the region.

In addition, authorities said Toboso, Calatrava, Moises Padilla, and Isabela are under close monitoring due to numerous killings, with a majority of the incidents committed by the New People’s Army.

Earlier this week, Negros Occidental Comelec election supervisor, Atty. Jessie Suarez, said members of armed groups had been spotted in far-flung areas of the said municipalities.

He noted a majority of rural barangays will be placed under “Code Orange” status, which signifies the presence of armed groups. The designation is a level down from “Code Red,” which indicates the place is a “critical area.”

Pressed by media to identify the noted barangays, Suarez insisted, “The names are classified.”/DGB, WDJ

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *