In just 2 hours 3 men nabbed for violating gun ban

CEBU, Philippines - In two hours, police recovered two loose firearms and arrested three men who tried to evade a checkpoint in Sitio Dapdap, Barangay Poblacion 3, Carcar City, last Friday night.

Police figured in a chase with the suspects and eventually arrested Luisito Alquizar, 22; his half brother Nicomedes Romero, 24; and Jerome Florita, 22.

Carcar Police, led by Insp. Philip John Libres, were conducting Comelec checkpoint between 7 pm to 9 pm last Friday when they noticed two men riding on a motorcycle going back to their original route upon seeing the checkpoint.

The Police immediately rode on their patrol cars and chased the armed suspects.

Libres and his men eventually accosted the suspects and recovered an unlicensed Smith and Wesson caliber .38 revolver loaded with five live ammunition from Alcuizar, the motorcycle back rider.

Both are living in different barangays of Carcar City.

The police also engaged in a brief chase with Florita, who reportedly evaded the checkpoint as well, when he was approaching sitio Dapdap.

A caliber 45 pistol with magazine loaded with six live bullets, was also seized from Florita, a resident of P. Nellas St., also of the said barangay.

The team of police returned to the police station at 9 pm and detained the arrested suspects, who failed to present any document exempting them from the Comelec gun ban.

Police will file separate cases for violation of Republic Act 8294 and violation of the Comelec Gun Ban against the suspects.

The nationwide gun ban, which started since January 13, will last until June 12, the last day of the election period. —MIT (FREEMAN)