OF THE 124 arrested violators of Comelec gun ban in Western Visayas, seven of whom are security guards.
This is what the latest count of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) on the number of arrested violators of Republic Act 8740 which prohibits the carrying of firearms, explosives and deadly weapons during the 150-day election period.
Said report disclosed that there are now 101 civilians, four members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, seven government officials, two members of Cafgu, 1 member of CPP/NPA and two members of RPA/ABB are among the arrested gun ban violators.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (PPO) still leads the accomplishments with 43 arrested persons, 39 confiscated firearms, and 36 cases filed in court.
Bacolod City Police Office (PO) has 20 arrested persons, 12 confiscated firearms, and filed 17 cases in court.
Capiz PPO has 17 arrested persons, 16 confiscated firearms, and filed in court 14 cases.
Iloilo PPO has 12 arrested persons, 11 firearms confiscated, and 11 cases filed.
Antique PPO has arrested 10 persons, confiscated nine firearms, and filed 10 cases in court.
Iloilo City PO has nine persons arrested and six firearms confiscated and filed 9 cases in court.
Aklan has also nine arrested persons, confiscated five firearms and filed nine cases in court.
Guimaras has four arrested violators, confiscated two firearms, and filed four cases in court.
PRO6 also reported 31 bladed weapons and five grenades confiscated from some of the suspects.
PRO6 director, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, reiterated the warning to gun owners that despite their permits to possess the firearms they can still be arrested for violation of gun ban since the permit to carry firearms outside of residence is suspended temporarily this election period.
This campaign of the government is to ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful May 10, 2010 national and local elections, he said.
Cuevas also warned the public of the unscrupulous persons who are selling fake PTCFOR for PhP5,000.
Please report to the nearest police stations the presence of persons who are doing this kind of business in your area, he said.