NAGA CITY ? Two persons yielded two .45 cal. pistols and bullets at a police checkpoint on Sunday night in Barangay (village) San Roque, Nabua, Camarines Sur.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is enforcing a gun ban in preparation for the May elections.

Superintendent Petronio Retirado, provincial police director, said Gilbert Osea, 56, a retired policeman, and Marlou Nieva, 39, were caught with guns when their van was flagged down at around 7:45 p.m.

One of the guns was found in Osea?s possession while the other was found in the vehicle.

Retirado said this was the sixth arrest made in the province since the gun ban was imposed.

He said Osea and Nieva were accompanied by several women when they were searched by policemen headed by Inspector Rhoderick Campo.

The two are detained at the Nabua Municipal Police office while formal charges of illegal possession of firearms were being prepared against them.

Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol police spokesperson, said the latest arrests brought to 48 those held in Bicol for violation of the Comelec ban.

Bron said police checkpoints had so far seized 20 assorted hand guns and 14 high-powered firearms since January 10.

He said Masbate topped the list of arrested people with 24. Juan Escandor Jr. and Mar Arquelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon