THE arrest of a Cotabato mayor and three of his aides for violation of the Comelec-imposed gun ban in Davao City is proof that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will not spare anyone as it enforces the nationwide prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons.

PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said that they have been mounting an aggressive campaign against illegal guns and strictly implementing the nationwide gun ban since the proliferation of loose firearms and the presence of private armed groups (PAGs) continue to pose a risk to fair elections.

As of press time, more than 700 gun ban violators have been apprehended and nearly the same number of firearms and other deadly weapons have been seized since the PNP enforced the ban across the country last January 12.

On Tuesday last week, Davao City policemen arrested the mayor of Nabalawag, Cotabato and three of his bodyguards for violating the prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons, Police Regional Office 11 director, Brigadier Gen. Leon Victor Z. Rosete said.

Arrested were Mayor Anwar Saluwang, 49; and his bodyguards Maroufh Usop, 30; Prangco Paglas, 33; and Samsudin Kabagani, 39; who also acts as a driver of the local government official.

Brig. Gen. Rosete, citing a report from Davao City Police Office chief Colonel Hansel Marantan, said the four were on board a silver gray Mitsubishi Triton pick-up (FC608A) when they were flagged down for a mandatory inspection.

While conducting a visual inspection of the vehicle and its occupants, a police corporal and a militiaman saw a handle grip of a firearm at the left side of Kabagani.

Another firearm was spotted lying at the floor matting of the vehicle, placed between the foot of a passenger who was later identified as Mayor Saluwang.

The two other occupants of the vehicle were each found in possession of a loaded magazine.

As a result, the four were immediately placed under arrest after being apprised of their constitutional rights.

The accused are now facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines particularly violation of the gun ban.

Last week also saw the Davao City local government turning over 50 of their procured firearms to the local police for safekeeping in line with the ongoing Revitalized Katok of the PNP aimed at accounting for licensed guns with expired licenses and other permits.

The Davao City General Services Office under Attorney Elmer B. Rañon turned over the weapons composed of 19 12-gauge shotguns, 26 caliber .38 revolvers, 1 cal. .22 long rifle, 3 9mm semi-automatic pistols and 1 cal. .45 pistol to the DCPO.

The firearms without ammunition were duly received by the Davao City Police San Pedro Station headed by Major Emmanuel Manlatican after their serial numbers and other description were taken and photographed.

Brig. Gen. Rosete said they have stepped-up their effort to account for loose firearms in Southern Mindanao amid their aggressive campaign against criminality to keep peace and order in the region during the May 12 midterm elections.

Violators of the gun ban face the penalty of 1-year up to 6-years imprisonment and if he or she is a public official, will be perpetually disqualified from holding office.

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Jean S. Fajardo said that of the firearms confiscated, more than 200 are pistols and nearly 300 are revolvers.

The official said that police have also confiscated firearm replicas which are also prohibited by the gun ban.

Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that since they started enforcing the Comelec-imposed gun ban, they have also recorded 3 suspected Election Related Incidents (ERIs) in Regions 1,2 and 6 respectively.

She said that the incident in Western Visayas which involved a relative of a local candidate destroying tarpaulins of their rivals has been validated as an ERI.

The official said there were also 4 confirmed non-ERIs during the period, 3 in Region 6 and another in Region 12.

Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that most of the violators were arrested during police operations while 65 were apprehended by policemen manning Comelec-supervised gun ban checkpoints.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon