Farmer arrested for gun ban violation in Biliran province

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ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Police arrested on Saturday a second Comelec gun ban violator in the province of Biliran.

Police said Bonifacio Vieron, 67, a farmer of Barangay Balaquid, Cabucgayan town, was arrested in Sitio Villa Socorro, Barangay Looc, in the same town, at about 1:15 p.m..

Cabucgayan police director Insp. Vic Viros said Vieron faces charges for violating the Comelec gun ban.

Viros, in a telephone interview, said a woman reported to their station that an elderly man pointed a gun at her and three companions when they passed through a coconut plantation reportedly owned by Vieron.

The woman, whom police did not identify to protect her from possible reprisals, said she and her companions were passing through the farm while looking for firewood when Vieron allegedly pulled out a gun from a sling bag and pointed it at them shouting “Ayaw mo pangawat diri!” (Don’t steal anything here!)

The four reportedly ran toward different directions, with the woman going to the Cabucgayan Police Station.

Viros said he and three of his men rushed to the coconut plantation and found Vieron.

The lawmen frisked the farmer and found a .45-caliber pistol marked Colt 1911 bearing serial number 633124 inside his sling bag. They also found a gun magazine with seven bullets and 13 more bullets inside the bag.

Vieron was brought to the Cabucgayan Police Station for booking.

The suspect told police that he had a gun for protection and to keep thieves out of his plantation.

Charges of violating RA 10591 the comprehensive law against Illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives and Comelec Resolution No. 10446 are being readied against the farmer.

Comelec Resolution No. 10446 refers to the ban on carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons; and employing, availing or engaging the services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period of the May 13, 2019, national and local elections. /cbb