2 nabbed after violating poll gun ban

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Two Cordillerans were arrested after the government declared a gun ban ahead of the barangay elections.

Policemen served a warrant of arrest on Saturday to a 69-year-old farmer, who, according to Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, was listed as the topmost wanted in Kalinga province.

Scout Manggok Pataclang, who faces a murder charge, was caught with an M16 rifle with serial number RP 021269, one long and nine short magazines for the rifle,  262 rounds of ammunition and 20 shell casings.

In Mt. Province, 52-year-old Egyam Cawatig, a resident of Ketangan, Gueday, Besao, was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly firing a gun in his own home.

Mt. Province police director Senior Supt. William Viteño said Besao town policemen were tipped off that Cawatig was keeping a  a homemade handgun.

Meanwhile,  Barangay Chairman Francisco Bersamina Bodonia, 62,  of Barangay Calot, Bangued, Abra’s capital town voluntarily turned-in last Friday two rifle grenades, one hand grenade and one homemade shotgun without serial number to Bangued police head Chief Inspector Arvin Fabro, officer-in-charge.

"Comelec checkpoints will be put up in all municipalities and stations in the whole region and spot inspections will be conducted in those checkpoints to ensure proper implementation of the Comelec gun ban," Magalong said, adding that they will continue to implement and carry out security operations to ensure that the upcoming barangay election will be safe, orderly and credible.