Gun ban violators in EV rise to 52

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 28, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – A candidate for barangay chairman was the latest addition to the list of gun ban violators arrested by police units in Eastern Visayas since its implementation last September 28, bringing to 52 the number of arrested persons across the region up to the October 28 barangay election day, the director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) announced Monday.

According to Police Chief Supt. Elmer R. Soria, all the arrested violators were civilians, noting that during the firearms ban implemented in relation to the May midterm polls, three of the 177 violators are military men, six are security guards and one employee of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“The firearms and other deadly weapons confiscated by our men could have been used to disrupt the peaceful holding of the barangay elections,” Soria said.

The police official informed that at around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, one Roberto Habilles, 33, a candidate for barangay chairman of Brgy. Dinagan, Oquendo Dist., in Calbayog City was arrested in a Comelec checkpoint in Brgy. Malaga by joint elements of Calbayog City Police Station and 2nd Regional Public Safety Maneuver Company led by PInsp. Neil Fernando Cerdeña.

Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were one unit .45 caliber pistol loaded with 14 ammunitions and two empty magazines for .45 caliber. He was brought to Calbayog CPS as appropriate charges are being prepared against him.

The police official disclosed that the PRO8 had seized 23 firearms wherein 12 are revolvers, four pistols, four improvised guns or “sumpak”, two shotguns and one rifle.

Lawmen also confiscated 33 bladed weapons, one grenade and 103 ammunitions.

Thirty four violators were arrested during police responses to call for assistance; four were arrested at checkpoints and two wanted men nabbed by the police were also carrying firearms at the time of their arrest.

Twelve violators were arrested during focused police operations initiated by line units.