TIGHT CHECK. Policemen inspect vehicles coming to Cotabato City in this undated photo as the local police intensified its campaign against the election gun ban. A village councilman and a companion were arrested at a checkpoint late Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2022) for carrying an unlicensed M16 rifle and .45-caliber pistol inside their vehicle. (Photo courtesy of CCPO)
COTABATO CITY – A village councilman here and his companion were arrested for violating the election gun ban on Wednesday night, according to the police.
In an interview Thursday, Maj. Rustom Pastolero, city police station 1 chief, said the two were arrested at a checkpoint along Sinsuat Avenue for carrying firearms without authority from the Commission on Elections.
Apprehended were Abdulmuiz Maulana, 31, village councilor of Barangay Rosary Heights 5, and Camsa Tatak, 37, both from this city.
Police and members of the Army-led Joint Task Group Kutawato were implementing an election gun ban law at about 9 p.m. when the two passed by aboard a vehicle and were inspected.
Found in the suspects’ car were an M16 rifle, a Glock .45-caliber pistol, and ammunition.
“During verification, Maulana could not present exemptions from the Commission on Elections for carrying firearms,” Pastolero said.
The two will be charged with the violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the election gun ban law.
To date, five persons have been nabbed in the city for violating the gun ban. (PNA)
