The Muntinlupa police, under newly installed chief Col. Angel Garcillano, arrested the first gun ban violator in the city.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed a nationwide gun ban for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections starting on Jan. 9 that will last until June 8.
The Muntinlupa police identified the suspect as Ricky Leuterio, 22, who was arrested in Southville 3 housing project in Bgy. Poblacion on Jan. 11.
Initial investigation showed that members of the Muntinlupa police’s Poblacion Sub-station were conducting an anti-criminality operation in Southville 3 when a citizen informed them that a person was carrying a firearm.
They went to the area and caught Leuterio carrying a .38 caliber revolver loaded with two bullets and without a serial number.
The police officers immediately held the suspect who failed to show any valid documents for the firearm. They arrested him and the firearm was confiscated.
He is detained at the Muntinlupa custodial facility. Leuterio is facing violations of Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and Batasang Pambansa 881 or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.
The pieces of evidence were turned over to the Southern Police District Forensic Unit for ballistics examination.
“Long way to go before the election period, but we can assure the public that we will be vigilant in the implementation of the gun ban to ensure a safe and peaceful NLE 2022,” said SPD director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg.
According to the Comelec, “During the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.”
The Comelec’s Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) has the sole and exclusive authority to issue certificates of authority, which authorizes the “bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons; or employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards; or transport or delivery of firearms and/or its parts, ammunition and/or its components, and, explosives and/or its components.”
Comelec said during the gun ban period, the following acts are prohibited:
- To carry firearms and deadly weapons outside residence or place of business, and in all public places.
- To engage the services of security personnel
- To transport firearms and explosives, including its spare parts and components
Violation of the gun ban will incur penalties of imprisonment from one to six years, permanent disqualification from public office and loss of right to vote, and deportation for foreigners (only after prison term is served), according to the Comelec.