TWO former police officers and two farmers were arrested after they allegedly carried illegal firearms in separate police operations in Hilongos, Leyte and Pintuyan, Southern Leyte Monday, May 9, 2022.

Police Regional Office 8 director Brigadier General Bernard Banac identified the former policemen as Julius Caesar Yadao, 50, and Slazenger Cadavis, 47, both residents of Tacloban City.

While the two farmers were identified as Alejandro Manongsong, 57, and Donald Felicilda, 49, both from Pintuyan town.

“Again, I urge the public to be observant in your communities for the presence of these lawless elements and relay it to authorities for the apprehension of such criminals for the immediate action of our personnel for safe and peaceful national and local elections 2022,” Banac said.

In the information released by the police regional command, the two former policemen allegedly pointed their firearm at a barangay tanod at Barangay Hampangan in Hilongos.

Responding personnel from the Provincial Special Operation Group of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Hilongos Municipal Police Station confiscated from the suspects two caliber .45 pistols without pertinent documents.

In Puntayan town, operatives from Pintuyan Municipal Police Station and Second Southern Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company arrested the two farmers after they allegedly carried a revolver loaded with six live ammunition, one .45 caliber with two magazines loaded with seven live ammunition, a silencer, and 25 live ammunition without pertinent papers.

The suspects will be facing charges in violation of Republic Act 10591, in relation to Omnibus Election Code. (SunStar Philippines)