Election gun ban nets 12 firearms

MILITARY troops have arrested two people in possession of 12 high-powered firearms in Marawi City while implementing the election gun ban, a military official said Thursday.

Army 103rd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Daniel Lucero said the suspects identified as Muslimin Binao Ali and Junaid Ali were arrested Wednesday at a checkpoint in the village of Datu Saber, Marawi City.

Lucero said the firearms confiscated from the suspects are the following: a Minimi 5.56-mm rifle; one SAR Galil rifle; one 7.62-mm M-14 rifle; four M653 5.56-mm rifles (Baby Armalites) with M-203 grenade launchers; two 5.56-mm M-16 rifles; one Caliber .308 rifle; one 9-mm machine rifle; and, one U.S.-made 12 gauge shotgun.

Lucero said the suspects, who were aboard a Sports Utility Vehicle, were arrested when the troops manning the checkpoint discovered they were bringing with them several high-powered firearms.

The suspects even tried to evade the checkpoint but they were flagged down by the troops, Lucero said.

The suspects were subjected for inquest proceedings on Thursday before the office of the prosecutor in Marawi City, he said.

The suspects were charged for violation of the election gun ban as well as illegal possession of firearms, he added.

Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said they will strictly implement the election gun ban to ensure a peaceful and credible national and local election on May 13. (Bong Garcia)