By Hilda Austria
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) has arrested 40 individuals for violation of the election gun ban from Jan. 12 to April 3 this year.
In an interview on Monday, Pangasinan police provincial director Col. Rollyfer Capoquian said most of these arrests happened during around 20 police response and patrol operations, 12 anti-illegal drugs operations, three checkpoints, and a gun buy-bust operation.
Authorities confiscated 33 small firearms, one replica, two air guns, and 138 ammunitions.
“We would like to remind the public that election gun ban covers not only real guns but also replicas and air guns among others,” Capoquian said.
Meanwhile, Capoquian said investigations are ongoing into the recent shooting of a barangay captain in Barangay Paitan, Sta. Maria.
A person of interest has been identified, but authorities have yet to determine the motive.
He noted that it could be political, business-related, or robbery, as the victim’s wallet and firearm were stolen.
Despite this, Capoquian assured residents that Pangasinan remains generally peaceful.
From Jan. 1 to March 31, eight focus crimes recorded a decrease to 115 cases, down from 166 during the same period last year. Murder cases dropped from 15 to 7, and rape cases from 83 to 41. (PNA)
