MASBATE CITY, March 26 -- Determined to put an end to the culture of violence and fear during election period in this island province of Bikol, authorities here have shifted to high gear their campaign against loose firearms and political armed groups.
With the start of the local political campaign today, the drive on the gun ban by members of Task Force Masbate (TFM) have accelerated with the arrest of 48 violators and the seizure of 45 high and low powered firearms since January 10, this year.
Police Supt. Ed Benigay, Masbate provincial director, said the arrest on Wednesday of Carmilito Cortes, a native of Masbate, brings to 48 the number of gun violators nabbed in this island province.
The suspect believed to be a member of a political armed group (PAG) operating here was caught in possession with two shotguns, a .45 caliber pistol and several rounds of bullets for shotgun and .45 hand gun.
Benigay told TFM members that the campaign on loose firearms is gaining grounds from the start of the campaign period. He said the gun violators' latest count showed that 24 of those arrested or 50 percent were confirmed PAGs members.
Police Supt. Victor Deona, TFM chief, told the meeting held at Camp Boni Serrano that six PAGs are on their watch list as four of which have been validated to have been employed by local political clans here.
Deona said presently the TFM has in its custody 45 confiscated firearms of which 22 were high powered firearms and 23 hand guns, and 531 assorted ammunition.
The high caliber firearms include: KG9, Ingram, M16, M14, shotgun rifles, 45 handguns, 357 pistols, and .cal 38 pistols.
Deona said the TFM would pursue a more aggressive campaign to eliminate possible election related violence especially with the onset of the local political campaign period for local candidates.
He said they will look forward to stop the culture of violence and fear that mars the electoral process in the province, a election "hot spot" among the eight provinces across the country. (PNA)