A DOZEN security guards were arrested in Mexico town in Pampanga for allegedly violating the election gun ban and trespassing on a private property.

Pampanga Police Provincial Office Director Robin King Sarmiento identified the arrested suspects as Michael Pesimo, Donald Lufranco, Rene Victoriano Dabiera, Michael Encabo, Ed Alvez, Edgardo Mondejar, Christian Salavaria, Domingo Villarico, Jansen Picardal, Ian Estillo, Reynaldo Pate, and Christopher Ancheta. All are employed under Darwin Security Agency.

Sarmiento said the Mexico Police Station received a report from the owner and developer of Royal Meadows Subdivision located in Barangay Tangle, Mexico that a group of armed men forcibly entered the gate of the private community.

Immediately responding on the report, elements of Mexico police spotted the said armed men who then failed to present pertinent documents that authorize them to enter the premises and to carry firearms.

This immediately prompted the responding officers to arrest the suspects as they are violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban and trespassing.

The election gun ban, which us effective from January 9 to June 8, 2022, prohibits the carrying of firearms outside of residence to civilian and licensed gun owners unless they secure a Certificate of Authority for gun ban exemption for security agencies and personnel.

Seized from Picardal, Estillo, Villarico and Encabo were three units of shotgun, 27 pieces of 12-guage ammunition and one unit of Caliber .38 pistol with five live ammunition.

The suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were placed under the custody of Mexico police, while complaints for Trespass to Dwelling with the used of service firearms and Violation of Omnibus Election Code (Gun Ban) are being prepared for filing.