Gun Ban Drive Yields 100 Violators in Bikol

LEGAZPI CITY, March 19  -- At least 100 people were arrested for violation of the election gun ban in Bicol after the Commission on Election (Comelec) enforced the total gun ban on January 10 this year.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bikol said the number of gun ban violators has reached 100 as of March 15 with the island province of Masbate topping the list, followed by Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes.

Of the number of violators arrested, 77 were charged in court, the PNP data showed.

Majority of those arrested were civilians, four were village chiefs and three were law enforcement authorities.

Police Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja, Bicol police director, said joint police military and Comelec checkpoints put up in various strategic areas across the region has confiscated 40 high powered firearms, 45 hand guns and 25 bladed weapons and several grenades and explosive devices since the start of the election period.

Police field units are keeping close watch of the 15 Political Armed Groups operating in Bikol of which 10 are in Masbate, the island province included in the list eight election hot spot in the country.

Masbate was placed under special police watch until the end of the election period and created Special Task Force (STF) "Masbate" to maintain peace and order and serve as overseer of all law enforcement and security operations in the province in close coordination with the military and other law enforcement agencies in the area.

Masbate province had been a perennial part in the Election Watch List of Areas (EWAs), a two-category listing of places (province, cities or towns) of concern as assessed and classified by the PNP and AFP based on reported violent incidents in past elections.

Task Force Masbate has in his command two battalions of Army soldiers and police special force.

STF Masbate troops had made several arrests around the province in its bid to dismantle the various partisan armed groups (PAGs), who are involved in various election related violent incidents in the area.

The STF Masbate have already arrested 10 PAGs members in its series of arrests and security operations around the province. Seven of suspects were alleged members of the Gerry Solasco PAGs members based in Pio V. Corpuz, who were apprehended with their high-powered firearms last January 29.

Authorities are closely monitoring the political situation in this island province because of intense political rivalries, the presence of PAGS and communist rebels. (PNA)