534 held for gun ban violation

MANILA, Philippines – Three months before the elections, 534 persons, including three policemen, have been arrested for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, “514 civilians, three policemen, four government employees, seven security guards, two Cafgus and four personnel from other law enforcement agency” were arrested for gun ban violation, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor.

Mayor said the latest arrested policeman was SPO2 Lito Mengullo of Malasiki, Pangasinan and assigned at the Headquarters Support Service in Camp Crame.

The two policemen arrested earlier were PO1 Marvin Granada and PO1 Michael Sean Tabarangao of the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The PNP also confiscated 3,173 deadly weapons, including 323 firearms.

Mayor reminded the public that the PNP would further intensify implementation of the gun ban.

“Perhaps they do not know that replica of firearms, airsoft and airgun are also banned to be carried outside residence during election period,” he said.

“We are seeing that the number of arrested violators is increasing, which means the PNP is serious. To all citizens, please follow the gun ban so you will not be included in the statistics of arrested violators.

“We will continue to implement the gun ban in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in compliance with the Comelec resolutions until June 8 after election period,” he added.

Despite the gun ban, a robbery holdup happened along EDSA near Kamuning in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Mayor explained PNP personnel have to comply with the provisions of the law on “plain view” doctrine, meaning they cannot just search without court order.

“Because there are crimes committed at dawn, we are deploying more policemen in strategic areas,” he added.