2 minors are first gun ban violators

TWO minors are the first reported violators of the 120-day total gun ban being imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao City and other areas in the country in relation to the upcoming midterm elections in May.

A man, who was also accused of shooting another, is also to be charged with gun ban violation.

The three were arrested after they were involved in separate shooting incidents in Davao City on Sunday, the start of the gun ban implementation.

The first incident happened around midnight on Andaya St. in Barangay Daliao, Toril. Police identified the suspect as 15-year-old Joey (real name withheld for being a minor), of the same place.

The suspect was taken under the custody of Toril police after his mother surrendered him to the authorities.

The victim was also a minor.

Based on the initial investigation conducted by Toril police, the groups of the victim and the suspect engaged in a riot around midnight Sunday.

The suspect then fired an improvised firearm locally known as "sumpak," hitting the victim on the head.

The victim was brought to the Saint John Hospital in Toril and was later transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

The suspect fled to an unknown direction but was later surrendered by his mother to the authorities.

Further investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were involved in a love triangle, which resulted in dispute between their respective groups.

The other incident happened an hour after at Purok 7 in Communal, Buhangin.

The suspects were identified only as one Meniel, of legal age and his minor brother, both of the same place.

Police identified the victim as one Juan Tamaro dela Cruz Cortes, 33. Based on the initial investigation conducted by Buhangin police, the victim sustained a lone gunshot wound on his shoulder and was brought to SPMC.

After the incident, Buhangin police responded immediately, resulting in the suspects’ arrest.

Recovered from the suspects was one improvised firearm locally known as "sumpak" loaded with one live ammunition of 5.56mm rifle.

Meniel is now under the custody of the Buhangin police, while Jun-Jun is with the Women's and Children's Protection Desk (WCPD).

All three suspects are facing charges of attempted homicide, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec-imposed gun ban.