7 arrested on start of election period

CEBU, Philippines — Seven men were arrested in Cebu in the first two days of the election period, four of whom allegedly violated the gun ban.

Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7 spokesperson Reyman Tolentin told The Freeman that the seven were arrested in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Barili town.

Those arrested in Mandaue City were identified as Ramonito Estorco and Adonis Enot. They were arrested last Saturday dawn at a checkpoint in Barangay Umapad.

Estorco was arrested with a seven-inch knife and one small heat sealed plastic sachet suspected to be shabu while Enot also yielded one small sachet.

Enot allegedly tried to escape but cops caught up on him.

Evening on that day, Barili police arrested Rolito Zamora, a resident of Barangay Pangpang, following a report from the barangay captain that Zamora fired his gun twice, which worried his neighbors.

PO3 Gilbert Encabo of the Barili Police said they confiscated a 9mm caliber revolver from Zamora, for which the suspect failed to present papers.

“Dili man siya hubog, gisapot ra daw ni maong nagpabuto,” Encabo said.

Hours later in Cebu City, police arrested Benjie Sacares Emnace, Louis Giovani Nuñez, and Ramilo Congiza as they were patrolling Barangay Basak San Nicolas.

Emnace was caught with a fake .22 revolver, a disposable lighter and one hand-rolled tin foil, which is used for sniffing shabu. Nuñez and Congiza, too, were arrested with drug paraphernalia.

In Lapu-Lapu City also on Sunday dawn, police arrested Bonifacio Paquibot for brandishing him .38 revolver. It was reportedly his neighbors who sought help from the police.

Despite the arrests, Tolentin said the first two days of the election period is still considered generally peaceful.

“Except sa upat nga nadakapan for in violation of COMELEC ban of weapons, makaingon ta nga generally peaceful ra,” Tolentin said.

All those arrested are detained at the police stations pending the filing of charges against them.

Yesterday, Cebu City Police Director Joel Doria told The FREEMAN all checkpoints are in place. Cops are also guarding the offices of the Commission on Elections.

“Sustain po natin ang checkpoint at motor stop. So far, generally peaceful po tayo. May police security detail po sa Comelec office para sa filing of candidacy sa Barangay at SK election,” Doria said.  Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10197, possession of firearms and other deadly weapons is “strictly prohibited” among civilians starting April 14.

Special exemption is given to personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other government law enforcement agencies, if they secure a permit from 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 carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commissions” the Comelec statement reads.

“Only regular members of the PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Commission for election duty, may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period,” the statement reads further.

A law enforcement unit member allowed to bear firearms by virtue of a special permit issued by Comelec must be in full uniform, “showing clearly and legibly his name.”

He must also remain visible in his performance of election duty in the specific area designated by Comelec.

Tolentin said they will be able to determine the hotspots after all certificates of candidacies are filed on April 20. He reminded the public to observe the rule of law and discouraged them from resorting to violence.

“Atong hangyo, we (should) not resort to violence (and) observe the rule of law, pagkandidato ka, botante, o dumadapig sa kandidato. Let us do away with violence kay dili na sya dapat maoy buhaton,” Tolentin said. (FREEMAN)