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Mayor arrested for violating poll gun ban

Philippines | Luzon

Mayor arrested for violating poll gun ban

By Keith Bacongco

DAVAO CITY – Police and military personnel arrested a mayor and escorts from a town in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in a checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan, Toril District here for allegedly violating the election gun ban on Tuesday evening, Feb. 4.

SALUWANG (FB)

The Toril Police Station said Nabalawag, Cotabato Mayor Anwar Saluwang and three of his bodyguards were apprehended after they were found to be carrying firearms and ammunition without written authority from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Police said the mayor and his escorts violated the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

Saluwang and his companions were onboard their car and about to enter the city when they were apprehended.

Police recovered .45 caliber, 9mm handgun, and ammunition.

Further investigation disclosed that Saluwang was about to attend a training in the city along with other mayors from SGA-BARMM on Feb.6 when they were caught.

Toril Police Station chief Police Major Sheryl Bautista reminded the public that the election gun ban applies to all, regardless of status in society and positions in the government.

“No one is exempt from complying therein. It is only the Comelec who has the sole power to issue a written authority to be able to carry firearms in accordance to existing laws and regulations," Bautista said in a statement.

The mayor and company are detained at Toril Police Station and face cases for violating the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

Related Tags

Gun ban Davao City Nabalawag Comelec 2025 elections Mayor Anwar Saluwang SGA

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