COMELEC GUN BAN. Some of the evidence seized from nine violators of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on firearms and deadly weapons who were arrested in Negros Oriental as of Feb. 1, 2022. The suspects were arrested either at checkpoints or during police response operations. (Photo courtesy of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) on Friday reported that nine persons have been arrested across the province since the ban on the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons was imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the May 9 polls.
Lt. Col. Ruben Verbo, Jr., head of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit (PCADU) and public information officer of NOPPO, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that the suspects were arrested either at a checkpoint or during a police response operations.
The weapons seized between January 10 and February 1 were six firearms (four of which had ammunition), a knife, machete, and one “lading”, a bladed tool used for sugarcane harvesting.
The Comelec gun ban took effect on January 9, the start of the election period.
Verbo said police operations where the firearms were confiscated include drug buy-busts, “tigbakay” or illegal cockfights, and response to a call for assistance, among others.
The joint checkpoints of the Comelec, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are set up in strategic locations to implement not only the gun ban but other election-related prohibitions, as well as violations of existing laws.
Meanwhile, the provincial election supervisor of Negros Oriental, Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, said election officers in the different towns and cities have been directed to identify Comelec-designated common poster areas for political candidates.
“We have to make sure that these candidates are aware of the provisions on election campaigning, such as correct measurements and the putting up of posters, tarpaulins, and similar materials at designated areas so that their money will not go to waste,” he said in mixed English and Cebuano.
The Comelec-designated common poster areas should be identified already by this time, prior to the start of the campaign period for national candidates on February 8, he added.
Reacting to observations that campaign materials are now seen on electric poles, trees, and buildings here, Castillano said they are awaiting instructions from the central office on when to conduct simultaneous taking down of illegal posters. (PNA)
