Gun ban yields 248 firearms in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, April 14 (PNA) -- The number of firearms seized by the police in Eastern Visayas has risen to 248 as they step up gun ban implementation ahead of May 9 polls.

Checkpoints and series of police operations led to the arrest of 257 persons in different parts of the region, said Chief Insp. Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya, secretary directorial staff of the police regional office, here.

“As the election day nears, we have strengthened the implementation of gun ban to ensure peaceful and orderly polls,” Rentuaya said in a mobile phone interview.

Of the 248 confiscated as of Wednesday, 155 are bladed weapons, 101 are short firearms, 14 explosives, and six light weapons.

At least 32 cases have been filed in courts, 148 cases filed in prosecutor’s office, and 68 cases are either under investigation or scheduled for filing.

Leyte had the most number of arrests with 105 seized firearms.

Police confiscated 39 weapons in Samar, 28 in Tacloban City, 24 in Northern Samar, 21 in Eastern Samar, 19 in Southern Leyte, 14 in Ormoc City and eight in Biliran.

“The gun ban has been helping us a lot. It gives the people the assurance that we are closely watching those who will commit crimes through checkpoints,” said Chief Supt. Jose Erwin T. Villacorte in a press briefing earlier.

Under Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10015, it is an election offense to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons –whether licensed or not– in public places during the election period from January 10 to June 18 this year.

The offense is punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years. (PNA)

LDV/SQM