PRO8 arrested 49 gun ban violators in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
March 4, 2013

CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – At least 49 people have been arrested by the police for possession of firearms in Eastern Visayas since the gun ban was implemented with the start of the election period on January 13, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) said on Monday.

"We have arrested 49 persons so far in different police operations to implement the gun ban," said Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 Regional Director.

Soria added that they have confiscated a total 40 firearms, thirteen high-powered and 20 low-powered, and 7 homemade guns.

“Apart from firearms, 4 hand grenades, an airgun and 3 gun replicas were also confiscated, together with 13 assorted bladed weapons,” the police official further said, adding that 44 cases were also filed in different courts regionwide.

Since the start of the election period, PRO8 have aggressively implemented COMELEC Resolution Number 9561-A in relation to Section 32 of RA 7166 which states that during the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places even if licensed to possess or carry the same unless authorized in writing by the Commission on Elections except regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Comelec.

The arrests were made through the implementation of checkpoints in strategic places, implementation of search warrants, police response and intelligence-driven operations, RD Soria added.

Meanwhile, a store helper was the latest addition to the list of those arrested by the police for violating the gun ban.

Jimmy Laboc y Dacles alias Manok, 23, single, of Purok 3, Brgy. 13, Catbalogan City was arrested by a police team led by PO3 Louie Legatub on Saturday evening after receiving information that suspect was carrying firearm at the vicinity of Imelda Park, Brgy. 7, Catbalogan City.

Confiscated from Laboc was one caliber .380 pistol with defaced serial number loaded with one magazine.