Cotabato village chief bet held for gun ban violation

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  – A candidate for barangay chairman and three other persons were arrested in Midsayap, Cotabato on Tuesday for violation of the gun ban in connection with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Hedar Samal Talib and his companions Suhod Daud Sindatuk, Farhan Gapor Abubakar and Nabil Kalim Makalay were found in possession of guns when pulled over at a checkpoint, Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Soccsksargen police director, said.

The three are being held at the Midsayap police lockup.

Macaraeg said Talib is a candidate for chairman of Barangay Sambulawan.

“They shall also be charged with illegal possession of unlicensed firearms,” he said.

In Iloilo, a motorcycle rider was arrested yesterday for possession of a deadly weapon.

Ramon Dapita Jr., 43, a resident of Barangay Cabugao Norte in Pavia town, was arrested along Bonifacio Drive in Barangay President Roxas in Iloilo City.

Dapita, who was on a motorcycle, was pulled over at a checkpoint for not wearing a helmet.

When frisked, Dapita reportedly yielded a 12-inch knife.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10918 prohibits bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in all public places.

Comelec-Western Visayas regional director Dennis Ausan said “other deadly weapons” include knives.

Those who use knives for their livelihood, such as butchers or coconut sap harvesters, are excluded from the prohibition.

Meanwhile, in Cotabato, local officials have urged relatives of a candidate for barangay chairman, who was shot dead after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, to help in the investigation to prevent a bloody clan war.

Haron Dimalanis had just filed his COC for chairman of Barangay Malingao when he was shot.

The driver of Dimalanis, Habir Kambiong, was wounded in the shooting. He remains confined in a hospital. – Jennifer Rendon