9 nabbed for gun ban violation

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Nine persons have been arrested at various police checkpoints in Maguindanao and Cagayan for violation of the election gun ban since last Sunday.

Security guard Jonathan Jovellano and Mike Upam Datukaka were nabbed at a checkpoint in Barangay Landasan in Parang, Maguindanao yesterday for carrying an M16 rifle and a .45 caliber pistol, respectively, said Senior Superintendent Nikson Muksan, Maguindanao police director.

Muksan said six more persons were arrested at various checkpoints in the towns of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan.

In Aparri, Cagayan, Benjamin Malazzab, 56, was collared on Wednesday after he left a videoke bar in Barangay Padayya, where he reportedly figured in a brawl.

Chief Inspector Rafael Pagaliluan, Aparri police chief, said Malazzab yielded a .45 caliber pistol.

In a report to Camp Olivas in Pampanga, the Police Regional Office 3 said six firearms and ammunition were confiscated from two persons in Angeles City.

Senior Superintendent Sidney Villaflor, Angeles City police director, said the firearms were seized during a raid on the house of Enrique Yutub in Barangay Cutcut and Ronnie Aguilar of Barangay Anunas.

Villaflor said the suspects face charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Toy guns

Toy guns are not exempted from the election gun ban, a police official has reminded the public.

Arnold Sumayang, 31, a resident of Barangay Mansilingan  in Bacolod City, was arrested on Wednesday after he was found carrying a replica of a .45 caliber pistol, Chief Inspector Jeffrey Attunaga, Police Station 7 chief, said yesterday.

Attunaga said Sumayang was arrested after a brief chase with police operatives.

He said a Commission on Elections resolution on the gun ban states that firearms shall include “air guns, airsoft guns, and replicas of firearms in whatever form that can cause an ordinary person to believe that they are real.”

Sumayang is being held at the police station. He faces charges for violation of the election gun ban and resisting arrest. – John Unson, Raymund Catindig, Ric Sapnu, Danny Dangcalan