PRO8 chief orders intensified gun ban enforcement

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 3, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) director PCSupt. Elmer R. Soria ordered an intensified enforcement of the firearms ban as authorities already arrested seven violators since the ban was implemented last September 28.

“We want the barangay polls to be more peaceful than the recent midterm elections. Strict enforcement of election laws will greatly reduce any election-related violence,” Soria said.

Four violators, including two suspected drug pushers, were arrested for possessing firearms while three others for carrying bladed weapons which are also prohibited under the election law.

Few minutes since the ban started, the Regional Special Operations Group 8 (RSOG8) led by PSInsp. Dinvir Revita arrested couple Joel dela Vega and Hannie Grace Laynes in a buybust operation in Brgy. Batug, Javier town in Leyte.

Aside from two sachets of suspected “shabu” granules and the P1000 marked money, authorities also seized from the suspects’ one homemade .38 caliber revolver loaded with five live ammunitions.

In Catarman, Northern Samar, fisherman Edgar Yruma, 40, was nabbed by the police after he allegedly hacked his neighbor Jayson Openiano.

A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with four bullets and a bolo was seized from Yruma.

Meanwhile, in Borongan City in Eastern Samar, 38-year laborer Gerardo Calzado was turned over to the police station by security guards Jose Allera and Carlos Becera of CNOC Mac Joint Vetures after a heated argument ensued between the suspect and the two guards and the former tried to draw a .38 caliber revolver from his waist.

However, he was unable to draw as the firearm was grabbed from Calzado by the two guards.

The three other persons were arrested while carrying bladed weapons in police responses in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc.

“All arrested suspects are now facing charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code aside from criminal cases in other offenses that they committed,” Soria informed.

As all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) were suspended since Friday, Soria directed his men to intensify the gun ban through the conduct of checkpoint operations in strategic places, operation bakal/sita, implementation of search warrants, immediate police response and focused police operations.

“Those who will be found carrying firearms without Commission on Elections gun ban exemption will be arrested, detained and criminal charges will be immediately filed,” the police official warned.

Soria informed that violation of the Omnibus Election Code carries an imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.

He added that the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer permanent disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.

If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served, Soria disclosed.

This is without prejudice to the cancellation of the violator’s firearms license and permit to carry firearm outside residence if any, and the perpetual revocation of the privilege to secure similar license or permit in the future.

For government employees, perpetual disqualification to possess government owned and issued firearms shall be imposed upon them without prejudice to the filing of the proper criminal and/or administrative charges.