BUTUAN CITY – Police arrested the first gun ban violator in the May elections in Northern Mindanao or Region 10.
Police Regional Office 10-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Joann N. Navarro said the suspect was apprehended by the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station (MPS) of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (PPO) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Sunday, Jan. 12.
The suspect was identified as alias “King,” 31. He was caught at 1:05 a.m. in a Commission on Elections checkpoint conducted by the Tagoloan MPS.
The suspect was flagged down for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle. Police discovered that he was carrying a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol without a serial number with three bullets.
The suspect failed to present documentation for the firearm and and taken to the Tagoloan MPS for proper documentation and disposition.
The confiscated gun will undergo ballistics examination at the Regional Crime Laboratory 10 in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
The suspect faces charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and the Omnibus Election Code.
PRO-10 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. de Guzman commended operating units for their vigilance in implementing the gun ban.
“This arrest underscores our firm commitment to enforcing election laws and safeguarding our communities during this critical time,” he said. “Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to violate the Comelec gun ban, and we will not waver in our duty to uphold public safety.”
PRO-10 urged the public to cooperate with authorities and report any suspicious activities or violations of the election code to the police or through the Philippine National Police hotline numbers.