N. Cotabato town mayor’s bodyguard nabbed for violating poll gun ban

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A close-in bodyguard of a town mayor in Antipas, North Cotabato was arrested Thursday at a Comelec checkpoint for possessing an unlicensed firearm in violation of the prevailing election gun ban.

Town police chief Captain Bernard Abarquez identified the apprehended suspect as Ibrahim Flores Aliudin, 48 years old, resident of Purok 6 Barangay Malatab, Antipas. He is said to be a close-in security of Mayor Egidio Cadungon.

According to Abarquez, members of the local police were conducting inspections at a Comelec checkpoint along Purok 2, Crossing Marang, Barangay Poblacion when they flagged down the suspect’s vehicle.

During inspection, authorities found and seized Aliudin’s unlicensed caliber 45 pistol with serial number 213025, 2 magazines, and 11 live ammunition.

Police consequently arrested the suspect, who is being temporarily detained at the Antipas police jail pending the filing of charges in court. /kga