GUN ban violators in Negros Oriental province have managed to evade arrest during simultaneous checkpoints conducted jointly by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the police at the start of the election period although at least 10 firearms were seized in just one day.

Senior Police Officer 2 Edilberto Euraoba, public information officer of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Noppo), said Tuesday afternoon, January 15 that no one was arrested because they threw away their firearms and fled.

“Wala miy nadakpan kay gilabay ra man na nga mga armas ug ni eskapo sila nilikay sa checkpoints (We have not arrested anyone because they just threw away their firearms and evaded the checkpoints),” Euraoba said.

“Nabalintong man gani ang mga motor anang uban (In fact, some of the motorcycles fell over),” he added.

At 12 midnight Sunday, the Comelec-led checkpoints ushered in the start of the election period from January 13 to June 12.

One of the measures imposed during the election period is the gun ban, which prohibits anyone, unless having secured a Comelec certification or approval, to carry firearms outside their residence.

Recovered during the simultaneous Comelec-PNP checkpoints on Sunday were a caliber .357 revolver with three live ammunition in Basay; a caliber .22 revolver with four rounds of ammunition in San Jose; a caliber .38 revolver with four live ammunition in Vallehermoso; a caliber .38 with two live ammunition in Siaton; a caliber .38 revolver in Jimalalud; a homemade caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition in Bacong; a caliber .357 with five ammunition in Valencia; a caliber .357 revolver with four live ammunition in Amlan; a homemade caliber .38 revolver with three live rounds of ammunition in Zamboanguita; and a caliber .38 revolver with two live rounds of ammunition in Guihulngan City.

These firearms will be turned over to the NOPPO’s Supply Office, Euraoba said.

The Noppo again appealed to the public to heed the law, especially on prohibitions during the election period, to attain honest, orderly, and peaceful polls. (PNA)