DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Police arrested Sunday in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental a radio block-timer for allegedly violating the Comelec prohibition on carrying of firearms during the election period.
A police report identified the broadcaster as a certain Rene Ledesma, 42, married and temporarily residing at Barangay Suba in Bayawan City.
Ledesma was arrested at R.T. Diao Street in Barangay Tinago, Bayawan City by PO3 Roberto de la Cruz Abadiano.
The policeman responded to a tip from a concerned citizen about the presence of a man allegedly wielding a gun and engaging in an argument with another person at a chicken grill house.
Abadiano asked Ledesma for a Comelec-issued gun ban exemption document but the latter could not present one. All he had was a firearm license card and a permit-to-carry outside residence card.
During the election period, gun holders are required to secure an exemption from the Comelec for them to be allowed to carry their firearms.
Recovered from Ledesma were a .45-caliber handgun, a magazine, seven rounds of live ammunition and a holster.
Ledesma, a paid block timer of an FM radio station in Dumaguete City was detained and charged with violation of the Comelec gun ban and other election-related prohibitions. (FREEMAN)