27 guns surrendered to Pinamungajan cops

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 27 firearms were surrendered to Pinamungajan Police Station by the local government unit and from constituents of the municipality on Wednesday following an appeal from town Mayor Glenn Baricuatro and the PNP in relation to the Barangay and Sangguniang Pangkabataan election gun ban.

Police Chief Inspector Alfredo Kuhay, Pinamungajan police chief, said that most of the surrendered firearms have expired license.

Eighteen were surrendered by the LGU while nine were surrendered by some residents who heeded the appeal of the PNP and the mayor.

Thirteen 9mm pistol, six .45 caliber pistol, five .38 caliber revolver, one KG9, one caliber 380 and a .22 caliber firearm are now in the custody of the town police.

“Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat nga nisanong sila sa atong panawagan kauban ang LGU sa pagpanguna ni mayor para na usab sa malinawon ug hapsay nga umaabot nga election,” said Kuhay.

Kuhay added that Baricuatro proposed to donate the firearms with expired license to Pinamungajan PNP.

“Mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa proposal ni mayor kay dako kaayo nig ikatabang namo aside sa iyang mga unang gi-donate nga mga operation equipment sa station,” Kuhay added.

Meanwhile, four men were arrested in separate operations in Cebu Province in relation to Comelec gun ban on Monday evening.

In Balamban, two men were arrested including a barangay watchman during a Comelec checkpoint along the National Highway of Barangay Nangka.

Suspects, Melvin Baliguat, 43, of San Isidro Asturias and a barangay tanod, and Joel Aliviado, 4, of Looc Sur, Asturias were flagged down and arrested by the operatives during a checkpoint for allegedly having in their possession .45 caliber handguns with ammunition.

Police Officer 3 Donard Pitogo of Balamban Police said that both suspects explained that they carried guns for self defense.

On the other hand, two drug personalities were nabbed with unlicensed firearms during a buy-bust operation.

Suspects Joel Joseph Abad, 39, of Barangay Poblacion, Barili and Darwin Arnado, of Barangay Bongon, Tabuelan were allegedly carrying a caliber .357 and .38 caliber handgun, respectively, aside from illegal drugs.

The police also recovered a hand grenade from Abad.

On the other hand, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Joel Doria urged legitimate gun owners to surrender their firearms to the police for safekeeping for the duration of the election period.

Doria also advised that if they lost their firearms to thieves, they have to report it to authorities as they would also be held liable.

“Best practice ang pag-surrender sa firearms, para gunless elections. Dapat din mag-report immediately to authorities kung nawala, unang-una baka magamit (for crimes) may reported robberies and theft na minsan nakukuha ang baril, ini-report ba baka nawala? Baka nanakaw? Liable sila sa nangyari kaya they have to report,” Doria said.

He said that CCPO is getting an updated list of registered firearms from the Regional Civil Service Unit.

In a related development, Doria attributed the reduction of crimes almost a month now on the intensified checkpoints and motor stops in line with the security preparations for the election period.

“Malaking tulong ito. Wala pa tayong reported na incident na perpetrated by motor-riding (assailants). Kahit matapos na ang election considering na naging effective tool to deter crime, magtutuloy-tuloy until such time na totally eradicated,” Doria said.

The Investigation and Detective Branch Management Chief Ryan Devaras told The FREEMAN that there was only one shooting incident committed by assailants on board a motorcycle from March 21 to April 17 this year.

This was the case of Niño Tañajura who was killed in broad daylight in San Nicolas Proper, last March 23.

Suspects behind the slay were arrested and admitted that they were paid P45,000 each by a big time drug lord.

Prior to this, there were several reports of killings within Metro Cebu perpetrated by motor-riding assailants.

Local government officials including Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña have expressed alarm over the security and safety of the public.

But Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) assured that the killings were not linked to each other and most were done because of personal grudge. —/MBG (FREEMAN)