Wednesday, May 16, 2007 45 guns seized from 39 persons in the entire poll period
THIRTY-NINE individuals were arrested and 45 firearms were seized in different areas in Negros Occidental during the entire duration of the Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban which started January 14 until the Election Day.
Records from the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) showed that violators include military officers, a retired chief of police, minors, a member of the Revolutionary Ploretarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA/ABB) and supporters of political candidates, among others.
Most of those arrested were already facing charges for illegal possession of firearms in courts, detained or were released after posting bailbond for their temporary liberty, NOPPO Operations Head Police Supt. Larry Decena said.
Last Sunday, three supporters of a mayoralty candidate in Manapla town including a former chief of police identified as ret. Col. Nefertito Bayona where arrested by joint operatives of 6th Regional Mobile Group and members of the town policemen after four unlicensed firearms where seized from their possessions.
Bayona and his two other companions identified as Jose Vasquez and Allan Martinez are now detained at the town police station.
The recovered firearms include a AR15 (baby armalite), two caliber .45 pistols and a caliber .38 revolver were already turned-over to the NOPPO in Camp Alfredo Montelibano for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, NOPPO Director Rosendo Franco said the Army, Regional Mobile Group, and the Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) that were deployed in strategic areas in the province before the election day are still out to augment checkpoints operations to prevent armed groups in their respective area of responsibilities (AORS).
"They will be there to assist the local policemen in securing their AORs and to maintain the peace and order until this election period is over," Franco said.
