ILOILO City – The number of persons arrested for violating the election gun ban that started on Saturday has risen to four.
Two of the violators were caught in this city while the two others were in the Negros Occidental cities of Bacolod and Cadiz.
The gun ban ends on May 21 or a week after the May 14 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
According to Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, Iloilo City Police Office director, the bringing of deadly pointed objects such as knives is also prohibited during the election period that officially started on April 14, too.
At around 10 p.m. on Saturday, 25-year-old Nikki Carbaquil of Barangay Airport, Mandurriao district was caught with a nine-inch knife. She was detained at the Mandurriao police station.
An hour after, a. 38 revolver was seized from the 35-year-old John Michael Salido of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district.
Salido was taken to the Arevalo police station.
“I am warning the public not to bring deadly weapons outside of their residences,” said Biñas.
The first person to be arrested in Western Visayas after the gun ban took effect was 33-year-old Jonathan Sison of Barangay Cabahug, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
At a videoke bar on Mabini Street, Barangay Zone 5, Cadiz City around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, police recovered from Sison a .357 revolver loaded with five live bullets.
Seven hours after, at around 8:30 p.m. 39-year-old Alex Mendis of Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City was caught with a 10-inch knife.
All permits to carry firearms outside of residence are suspended, according to the Police Regional Office 6.
Only police officers and government troops in proper uniform are allowed to carry firearms.
Private security agencies and other government law enforcement agencies should get gun ban exemptions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) or their personnel with guns would be arrested, said Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional police director.
“Nobody is allowed to carry firearms outside of their residences without exemption from the Comelec,” stressed Binag.
To further ensure peace and order during the election period, there would be police checkpoints.
Policemen manning checkpoints must be in their proper uniform, said Binag.
The checkpoint itself must be well-lighted and must have the visible sign “Stop PNP Checkpoint,” he added.
“We appeal to the public. Please cooperate with us. Expect more police personnel on the road. We will enhance our presence,” said Binag./PN
