Gun ban nets 950 violators to date

MANILA, Philippines - Since the start of the nationwide total gun ban last Jan, 10, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested 950 people for illegal possession of firearms.

Among the arrested violators were 60 police and 35 Armed Forces personnel, 34 government officials, and 821 civilians. Confiscated were 808 firearms, 195 explosive devices, 215 bladed weapons, and 781 gun replicas.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the confiscated firearms and explosive devices could affect the holding of honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) in May.

“By taking away these instruments of violence and oppression, we are taking a bold step toward ensuring HOPE,” Versoza said.

Meanwhile, the PNP has filed murder charges against a Maguindanao mayor, an Army soldier and several others for last Wednesday’s killing of a barangay chairman in downtown Cotabato City.

Mayor Datu Ibrahim Sinsuat of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Private Norodin Sinsuat of the 10th Infantry Division stationed in Tagum, Davao del Norte, Ismael Mama and a number of John Does were formally charged before the Cotabato City prosecutor’s office for the killing of Errol Sinsuat, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Datu Blah Sinsuat town.

The ABC head was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Rosary Heights, Cotabato City last Wednesday night.

The gunmen also shot it out with the police escorts of Maguindano OIC Gov. Nariman Ambolod, wounding PO1 Perfecto Suela, a member of the PNP-Special Action Force.

Follow-up operations led to the recovery of vital evidence that helped investigators link the suspects to the killing, which police consider as election-related.

Investigation showed that Errol Sinsuat earlier had sponsored a resolution passed by the ABC of Datu Blah Sinsuat town assailing Mayor Sinsuat for allegedly maintaining a private army.

– With Cecille Suerte Felipe