Total gun ban imposed over Samar province

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — A total gun ban for the entire province of Samar effective May 1 has been declared by the Police Regional Office-8 following the killing of Calbayog City mayor Reynaldo Uy Saturday evening, April 30.

PRO-8 spokesperson Sr. Supt. Eleazar Igloso, also chief of the Police Community Relations, said the gun ban, which includes the suspension of permits to carry and to transport firearms by all civilians in the area, was imposed to ensure the stability of the peace and order of the province that has been placed on red alert status.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, in his visit to Calbayog City a day after the mayor was killed, announced a reward money of P200,000 for those who can pinpoint the culprits and P1 million for the arrest of the suspect.

Robredo however refused to give a time frame for the police authorities in the region currently conducting the investigation of Mayor Uy killing, but he instructed PRO-8 to make sure that those responsible will be arrested the soonest possible time.

Chief Supt. Arnold Revilla, PRO-8 director, told the local media that his declaration of a total gun ban was done to ensure that no tensions and post-criminal acts would happen, and to intensify police visibility in the province especially in Hinabangan town, nearby towns and Calbayog City.

"We have to avoid tensions from both sides, and more check-points will be installed in different strategic areas in Samar," he said. Egloso added that augmentation forces from the PRO-8 Regional Mobile Group were sent to Samar to secure the place.

PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo is also set to arrive today in Calbayog to visit the remains of Uy. Reports had it that President Benigno Aquino III would be arriving also after Bacalzo's visit.  - THE FREEMAN