By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – Police arrested on Monday five men for carrying firearms in Arteche, Eastern Samar as part of an intensified drive against poll gun ban violators.
Police officers intercepted an Isuzu elf truck carrying the armed individuals at a checkpoint along a major highway in Tangbo village, Arteche town around 5 a.m.
The suspects, who are residents of Arteche town, were identified by their aliases as Milo, 38, truck driver from Balud village; Red, 43, a farmer from Beri village; and Kiel, 43, motorcycle driver; Rey, fisherman; and Romy, a welder, all from Rawis village.
Seized from the suspects are two long firearms, three short firearms with ammunition, three handheld radios with headsets, a sling bag, and a mobile phone.
Reports reaching the Police Region Office-8 (PRO-8) headquarters said that while conducting a checkpoint, personnel from the 801st Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8, together with Arteche municipal police station, flagged down a white Isuzu Elf truck.
The driver “appeared visibly uneasy and attempted to evade the checkpoint”, prompting policemen to stop the vehicle and conduct a visual search, the PRO-8 said in a report.
“During the inspection, checkpoint personnel observed the handle of a firearm partially exposed and concealed beneath a tarpaulin. This prompted the team to immediately order all passengers to disembark. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the confiscation of firearms,” it said.
The five individuals, who are now detained at the Arteche municipal police station, will face charges for violations of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to the election gun ban.
PRO-8 reminded the public that the gun ban, which remains in effect until June 11, strictly prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, regardless of licensing status, unless specifically authorized in writing by the Commission on Elections. (PNA)
